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n-   .' 


n^ 


'  ^'-^  "^J  si^^\ 


j^Ai^A/i  jc/^<^  f^o  Aff^A. 


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->    SN  V 


>       Vyv///t> 


O  ?ie^T 


L  "/^-^^  f'/rr/  -y-i 


ACCOUNT 

Oy    THE 

LIFE 

«F  THAT  ANCIENT  SERVANT  OF  JESUS  CHRISTj 

JOHN  RICHARDSON, 

^IFZITG   J   RELATION  oS 

3MANY  OF  HIS  TRIALS  AND  EXERCISES  IN  HIS 

YOUTH,  AND  HIS  SERVICES  IN  THE  WORK 

OF  THE  iMINISTRY,  IN  ENGLAND 

IRELAND  AND  AMERICA. 


He  that  heareth  you,  heareth  me :  and  he  that  despiseth 
you,  despiseth  me  :  and  he  that  despiseth  me,  despiseth 
him  that  sent  me.— Christ. 


BOLTON,  CMassJ 
ilE-PUBHSHED  BY  DANIEL  COQLEDG.E. 

iOtJbi  Mo.  1897. 


SUBSRIBERS'  NAMES. 


>^  ^.^.*^.^.*^.i^^ 


JBolton,  (Mast. J  No. 

John  Fry,  one 

Thomas  Watson,  one 

Abel  Houghton,  one 

Calvin  Gates,  one 

Stephen  Pope,  one 

Josiah  Badcock,  one 

James  N.  Fry,  one 

Joseph  Holder,  one 

Josiah  Shove,  one 

David  Smith,  one 

Benjamin  Wheeler,  one 

Jonathan  Fry,  one 

John  Fry,  jun.  one 

Holder  Wheeler,  one 

David  Southwick,  one 

Asa  Wheeler,  one 

^Elizabeth  Gillson,  one 

GUmanto'iun^  ("JV.  H.) 

Ezekiel  Hoit,  eleven 

For  himself  one 

Henry  Plumer,  one 

John  Folsom,  one 

Benjamin  Bean,  one 

Joseph  Jones,  one 

Gideon  Bean,  jun.  one 

Jacob  Tucker,  one 

Joel  Bean,  one 

Joseph  Clifford,  one 

Nicholas  Jones,  one 

John  Elkins,  one 

Sivansey^  (Mass.) 

Benjamin  Slade,  fourteen 

Richmond^  (M  H. 

Samuel  Fassett,       twenty-six 

For  himself  one 

Paul  Jillson  one 

Levi  Mowry  one 


No= 


Wm.  Bassett, 

one 

Pcr^green  Wheeler, 
Elijah  Harkness 
Jedediah  Buffom, 

one 

one 
one 

Peleg  Taft, 
Israel  Sabin, 

one 
two 

Enoch  Southwick, 

one 

Reuben  Randall, 

one 

Levi  Randall, 

one 

Lydia  Cass, 
Amos  Adams, 

one 
two 

Jonas  Twitchel, 

one 

David  Read, 

one 

Wm.  CJalbum, 

one 

John  Day, 

one 

David  Twitchel, 

one 

Edmond  Farnsworth, 

one 

John  Younglove, 
David  Fisher, 

one 
one 

David  Cppeland 
Ebenezer  Copeland, 

one 
one 

Sandzvich,  (J^.  H.) 
Johi>  Hoag,  twenty-one 

Weare^  (N,H.) 
Enoch  Breed,  thirty 

Cumberland.)  (R.  I.) 
Jeremiah  Wilkinson,  thirty-six 

For  himself  two 

Benjamin  Arnold,  one 

Samuel  Hill,  one 

James  Smitb,  seven 

Ahab  Arnold,  one 

Jenks  Whipple,  one 

Isaac  Raze,  one 

Jason  Newell,  i^ix»ife 

Enoch  Arnold,  one 

Nicholas  Brown,  one 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


/o3eph  Metcaf, 
Benjamin  G.  Dexter, 
Israel  Joslin, 
Simeon  Wilkinson, 
Tillson  Aldrich, 
Augustus  Lapham, 
A  mas  a  Cook, 
Joseph  Harris, 
Parden  Sprague, 
Benedict  Remington, 
Le\vis  Warfield 
Judath  Southwick, 

Walfiole,  (Jr.  H.) 
Derick  Sibley, 
Samuel  Foster, 


No.  BerrelviUe^  (R.  I.)  N^ 

one  Buffom  Chase^             fourteen 

one  UxdridgCi  (Mass. J 

one  Gideon  Mowry               eleven 

one  For  himself             one 

one  William  Aldrich,                one 

one  Laban  Comstock,                one 

one  Hoziah  Wheeler,                 one 

One  Moses  Farnum,                   four 

one  Jesse  Eddy,                          one 

one  Paul  Aldrich,                        one 

three  Benjamin  Buffom,  jun.       one 

one  Newfiorty  (R.  I.J 

Job  Sherman,  sevea 

one  Ferrisburg^  C^^O 

one  Thomas  Robinson,           eight 


NOTE.-— The  design  of  the  intended  publisher,  of  a  new 
Edition  of  the  Life  of  John  Richardson,  being  frustrated  by  a 
competent  number  of  Subscribers  not  being  returned,  and  he 
hearing  of  an  old  Edition,  printed  many  years  since  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  feeling  willing  to  gratify  the  solicitude  of  those  who 
were  anxious  to  obtain  them,  has  purchased  enough  to  supply 
those  who  have  subscribed.  And  as  the  quality  and  size  of  the 
Book  is  as  much  as  one  third  better  than  a  new  Edition  could  be 
aiTorded  at  the  subscription  price,  he  presumes  none  will  object 
-0  receiving  them  j  but  if  so,  they  are  left  to  their  choice. 


(      iii      ) 
THE 

TESTIMONY 

OF 

Friends  belonging  to  Gijhrougb  Monthly -^ 
meeting,  concerning  our  worthy  Friend 
John  Richardson,  who  departed  this 
Life,  near  Hut  ton  in  the  Hoky  the  2d 
of  the  Fourth  Month  1753,  ^^  ^^ 
Eighty  feventh  Year  of  his  Age,  and 
was  buried  in  Friends  Burying  Ground 
^t  Kirby-moorjide. 

AS  many  of  our  Elders  are  removed,  and 
but  few  left  who  had  perfonal  Knowledge 
of  this  our  Friend  in  his  younger  Years,  and 
early  Part  of  his  Service,  we  cannot  give  fo  full 
an  Account  thereof  as  otherwife  might  have 
been  done. 

Neverthelefs,  by  Accounts  tranfmitted  to  us, 
we  have  Caufe  to  believe  he  was  much  devoted 
and  chearfully  given  up  to  walk  in  the  Way  of 
his  Duty,  and  therein  was  of  great  Service  to 
the  Churches  where  his  Lot  was  caft  ;  as  alfo 
an  Inftrumeut  in  the  divine  Hand,  in  turning 
many  to  Righteoufnefs, 


(       iv       ) 

As  to  the  latter  Part  of  his  Life,  we  have  this 
Teil:imon}'  to  give  of  him,  That  he  was  a  Lover 
of  Difcipiine  and  good  Order  in  the  Church, 
dfiigent  in  attending  Meetings  for  Worfhip  and 
Tinich's  Service,  whilft  of  AhiUty ;  a  good  Ex- 
ample therein,  by  fitting  in  a  flill,  quiet,  and 
unatfedled  manner  in  Silence,  and  when  raifed 
up  to  bear  a  pubHc  Teftimony,  was  com- 
fortable and^ acceptable  to  Friends. 

And  when  his  natural  Faculties  were  fome- 
whar  impair'd,  and  he  confined  at  home  thro' 
old  Age  and  Infirmities,  he  appeared  more  and 
more  heavenly  minded,  and  fcem'd  to  grow- 
in  the  Life  of  Religion,  that  we  hope  he  is 
now  iic  Reft  in  the  Fruition  of  that  Happinefs 
prepared  for  fuch  as  hold  out  to  the  End  in 
well  doing. 

Signed  on   Behalf  of  the  /aid   Meeting,    held 
at  Caftleton  the  izd  of  the  Third  Mouthy 

i754i  h 

John  Snowdon  Isaac  Taylor 

William  Peirson  Tuumas  Ellkrby 

John  FlintoitT  Caleb  Fletcher 

John  Wilson  John  Martin 

Thomas  Ward  George  Coats^ 
Onlsiphorus  Hoopus  George  Mason 

Isaac  Stockton  Joseph  Flintoft 

John  Baker  Richard  Wilson 

Thomas  Wood  William  Hartas 

John  Stephenson  Joseph  FiESLEToN, 

TH  Z 


(        V        ) 
THE 

TESTIMONY 

OF 

Friends,  from    the  Quarterly-meet- 
ing held  at  York. 

ON  reading  the  Teftimony  given  from  the 
Monthly-meeting  of  Gijbroiigh^  concern- 
ing our  late  ancient  and  worthy  Friend  John 
Ricbardfon^  deceafed,  of  which  we  approve, 
and  do  find  ourfelves  under  an  Engagement  to 
add  this  ftiort  Teftimony  ;  that  from  certain 
Experience  of  the  Service  he  has  had  amon-^ 
us  in  a  frefti  and  lively  Miniftry,  and/ in  the 
exercifing  of  the  DifcipUne  of  the  Chiarch  in  a 
Gofpel  Spiritj  whereby  many  received  Comfort 
and  Edification  ;  and  fome  of  us  leaving  Know- 
ledge of  him  from  his  early  Appearance  in  the 
Ivliuiflry,  remember  that  he  was  acceptable  to 
Friends,  being  found  in  Dodrine,  reaching  to 
the  Witnefs  of  God  in  thofe  to  whom  he  mini- 
ftred :  He  was  a  diligent  and  faithful  Labourer, 
travelling  feveral  Times  through  moft  Parts  of 
this  Nation,  and  vifited  Friends'  Meetings  in 
Scotland  and  Ireland^  as  aUb  twice  the  Eno-li/Jj 
Plantatii^ns  in  America^  leaving  many  Seals  of 
his  Miniftry,  having  had  the  Approbation  and 

Unity 


(       vi       ) 

Unity  of  his  Friends  with  his  Service  both  at 
home  and  abroad.  He  was  a  tender  nurfing 
Father  in  the  Church,  over  the  Youth  whom 
God  had  vifited,  to  encourage  and  ftrengthen" 
thofe  newly  convinced,  to  whom  alfo  he  was  a 
good  Example  ;  and  though  of  a  fweet  and 
courteous  Difpofition,  yet  careful  in  the  Spirit 
of  Wifdom,  to  caution  and  guard  fuch  agamft 
the  deceitful  Workings  and  falfe  Reprefent^  tions 
of  the  Spirit  of  Error ;  and  to  divers  of  u^  who 
vifited  him  towards  the  Clofe  of  his  Time,  he 
appeared  in  a  heavenly  Frame  of  Mind,  to  our 
great  Comfort,  evidencing  a  Preparation  fo?- 
that  eternal  Blifs  whereinto  (we  doubt  not)  he 
is  entered,  and  reaps  the  Fruits  of  his  Labours. 

Signed  in  and  on  Behalf  of  our  ^arterly^ 
meetings  held  at  York  the  I'^th  and  i%th 
of  the  Third  Month   1754,  hy 

BOSSEO.  MiDDLETON  SaMUEL  GrIMSHAW 

John  Scott  William  Coning 

Robert  H/^nderson  Thomas  Aldam,j«w. 
Edward  Stabler       William  Payne 
Roger  Shackleton  John  Greenwood 
Layton  Firbank         John  Hustler 
William  Hird  Caleb  Fletcher 

John  Flinto/t  William  Brown 

William  Cc^well       Abraham  Sutcliff 
John  Birkb^.ck  John  Sutcliff 

John  Kilden  Jonathan  Craven. 

Thomas  Rowland 

AN 


(   ^   ) ^ 

AN 

ACCOUNT 

OF    THE 

LIFE 

O  F 

JOHN  RICHARDSON, 

Introduced 

With  a   brief    Relation    concerning    his 
Father  William  Richardson. 

IT  has  been  repeatedly  revived  in  my  Mind, 
to  leave  the  following  Account  concerning 
my  dear  Father  William  Richardson,  hav- 
ing alfo  feen  fomething  of  his  own  in  Manu- 
fcript,  concerning  his  Convincement^  with  Re- 
m.arks  on  fome  other  Things  ;  but  I  being 
young  when  he  died,  did  not  then  much  heed 
it,  and  when  I  would  gladly  have  ktn  it  for 
my  ovyu  Satisfadlion,  I  could  not,  nor  as  yet 
can  meet  with  it ;  therefore, 

.nafmuch  as  my  Father  was  early  convinced 
of  t-hc  Truth,  a  Sufferer  for  it,  and  bore  a  pub- 
lick  Teftimony  to  it,  I  found  it  my  Duty,  as 
near  as  I  could  remember'  the  Contents  thereof, 
to  leave  this  ihort  Account  concerning  him,  viz. 

He 


(         2         ) 

He  was  born  at  North  Cave^  in  the  Eaft  Part 
oiTorkfmre^  in  the  Year  1624,  of  honed  Parents, 
and  of  good  Repute,  and  was  educated  in  the 
Epifcopal  Way,  being  foberly  inchned  from  his 
Childhood  and  upward,  a  Lover  and  Seeker 
after  Purity  and  Virtue  :  And  I  have  heard 
him  fay,  gave  his  Mind  much  to  Retirement, 
reading  the  holy  Scriptures,  breathing  and  feek- 
ing  after  the  Lord,  efpecially  in  the  Fields,  be- 
ing by  Calling  a  Shepherd  ;  and  it  pleafed  the 
Lord  to  open  his  Underftanding  fo  clearly,  that 
he  faw  and  longed  for  a  more  excellent  Dif- 
penfation  to  come ;  and  alfo  faw  that  the  Priefts 
were  wrong,  and  generally  proud  and  covetous, 
fo  that  he  was  weary  with  following  them, 
and  much  weaned  from  them  and  all  Company, 
except  two  or  three  Men  who  did  meet  with 
him,  and  fpoke  one  unto  another  concerning 
their  inward  Conditions,  and  what  they  had 
experienced  of  the  Lord's  Dealings  with  them. 
This  was  before  they  had  heard  of  the  Name 
^laker^  as  it  was  in  a  fhort  Time  after  given 
to  a  People  which  the  Lord  raifed  up  to  give 
Teftimony  of  the  notable  and  ancient,  yet 
newly  revived  and  blefTed  Difpenfation  of 
ChriiVs  Coming,  and  Manifeftation  by  t  he  holy 
Spirit,  inwardly  in  the  Hearts  and  Minds  of 
the  Children  of  Men,  in  order  to  enlighten, 
quicken,  fandlify,  and  fave  them  from  Darxt- 
nefs,  Death,  Ignorance  and  Sin,  that  they  might 
be  made  capable  of  obeying,  worfliiping  and 
glorifying  the  great  God  and  Sanftifier  of  them. 


(      3       ) 

And  as  my  Father  was  thus  waiting  and 
looking  for  a  more  general  breaking  forth  of 
this  glorious,  powerful  and  Gofpel-day,  winch 
had  in  a  good  degree  fprung  up  in  his  Heart, 
he  had  not,  as  yet,  feen  that  worthy  and  good 
Man  George  Fox,  although  he  paffed  through 
thofe  Parts  about  that  Time;  but  foon  after 
came  Willi  AM  Dews  berry,  and  at  the  Sound 
of  his  Voice,  I  have  heard  my  Father  fay,  he 
was  exceeding  glad,  in  hearing  him  declare 
the  Way  to  find  the  loll:  Piece  of  Silver,  the 
Pearl  of  great  Price  ivithin^  3.  Saviour  n^ar^  that 
had  been  held  forth  by  Men  to  be  at  a^diftance. 
But  having  left  the  dark  Watchmen,  of  whom 
they  ufed  to  enquire,  they  now  met  with  their 
Beloved  at  hom.e,  in  their  own  Bofoms ;  re- 
nowned be  the  great  Name  of  the  Lord,  now 
and  for  ever, 

Tiius  the 'hearing  and  receiving  the  ever 
biefled  Truth,  was  as  the  Seed,  or  Word  of  the 
Kingdom,  fown  in  the  good  Ground^  or  lionell 
^learts  of  Men,  which  took  Root  downward 
and  fprang  upward,  and  brought  forth  Fruit  in 
fome  thirty^  in  fome  Jixtyy  and  in  others  an 
hundred  Fold^  to  the  Praife  of  the  great  and 
good  Hufbandman, 

My  faid  Father  was  early  raifed  up  to  bear  a 
publick  Teftimony,  which  was  living  and  ac- 
ceptable to  Friends,  but  was  fo  much  attended 
with  Weaknefs  of  Body  for  many  Years,  that 
he  went  little  abroad  ia  the  Work  of  the  Mmi- 
ftry.  He  fuffered  patiently  the  Spoiling  of  his 
Ooods^  and  Impriibnment  of  his  weakly  Body, 

B  in 


(      4      j 

in  the  great  and  more  general  Imprifonment  J 
he  not  only  believed  in  Jefus  Chrift,  butfuffered 
for  him  ;  he  was  a  good  Neighbour,  a  loving 
Hufband,  and  a  tender  Father  over  all  that  was 
good,  but  fevere  to  all  that  wliich  was  wrong, 
and  was  for  Judgment,  without  Refpedl  of 
Perfons,  and  Ipared  it  not  even  to  his  own 
Children;  and  efpecially  he  was  much  con- 
cern'd  for  me,yc?r,  as  he  faid,  I ivas  the  ivildejl 
of  them  \  and  as  he  lived  well,  and  believed  in 
jefus  Clirift,  I  doubt  not  but  he  has  finifhed 
his  Courfe  in  the  Love  and  Favour  of  God,  is 
entered  into  a  Manfion  of  Glory,  and  is  at  Reft 
vrx\\  all  the  Faithful  who  loued  not  their  Lives 
unto  Deaths  but  rather  hated  them  in  compari- 
fon  of  that  endeared  and  unfel  gned  Love  they 
bore  to  God  the  Father,  and  to  Jefus  Chrill  his 
dear  and  well-beloved  Son,  who  died  for  them* 
and  alfo  for  the  whole  World. 

He  departed  this  Life  in  1679,  aged  abo^lt 
fifty-fiye  Years,    and   was  decently   buried    r> 
Friends   burying  Place  in  Hotham^  xitds  Carjt 
where  he  was  born.  ^ 


NO  W  having  given  this  fhort  Account 
concerning  my  Father,  it  remains  with 
nie  to  leave  to  Pollerity  fome  Remarks  on 
my  Confine  entente  with  an  Account  of  fundry 
Tranfaclions,  Travels,  Healings,  and  Deliver- 
ances I  met  with,  in  and  from  my  Youth  to 
this  Day,  with  fome  Advice  and  Openings  ::. 
the  Spirit  of  Truth. 

I  v;, 


(       5      ) 

I  was  young  when  my  Father  died,  not  above 
thirteen    Years  of  Age,    yet  the  Lord  was   ?.( 
:work  by  his  Light,  Grace  and  holy  Spirit  ip 
my  Heart,  but  1  knew  not   then  what  it  wag 
which    inwardly  difquieted  my   Mind,    whe'^ 
any  Thing  which  was  evil  did  prevail  over  the 
Good  in  me,  v/hich  it  oftentimes  did,  for  want 
of  taking  heed   to  that  of  God  in  my   Heart ; 
I   delired    Eafe  and    Peace    fome   other   Way. 
without  taking  up  the  Crofs  of  Chrift  to  'my 
gwn  corrupt  Will,    and  ftrove  for  fome  Tima 
(as  no  doubt  many  do)  to  make  merry  over  th^' 
jufl  \yitnefs,  until  for  a  Seafon  the  coavertii. 
and  true  Witnefs  of  God  feem'd  to  be  flaih,  o 
difappear'd,  and  then  I  took  Liberty,  but  no' 
in  grols  Evils  which  many  ran  into,  being  pre 
ferved   religioufly   inclined,  feeking  aftt^u.Pr^ 
felfors,  and  enquiring  of  them,  for  my  Info 
mation  and  Satisflidlion,  to  find  (if  I  could)  an 
Thing  that  was  fafe  to  reft  in,  or  any  true,ar 
folid  Comfort  to  my  poor  difconfolate  arid  I 
wilder'd  Soul,  but  I  was  afraid  I  Ihould  be  d 
ceiv'd,  or  take  up  a  falfe  Reft  in  any  Thin^  t!) 
was  wrong  or  unfafe ;  which  was  the  great  Lo 
and  Mercy  of  God  to  me.      But  after  mrj 
Searchings   and   Enquirings  among  thofe  w 
were  but  in  the  Letter  without,  and  in  the  oiu 
ward  Court,  where  the  Veil  is  over  the  Under 
{landings  and  the  Eye  of  the  Mind  is  not  trul 
opened  to  fee  into  Things  that  are  invifible,  ar 
hid  from  all  carnal- minded  Men;  even  fo  w. 
my  State  and  Afflictions  hid  from  them,  ai  a  ! 
all  the  deceitful   Workings  of  Satan,  and  tii'  ' 

flror  . 


(      6      ) 

«  i"  ,  >tations  which  I  met    with,   thefe 

t  ii:^t  >   could  not  fee,    nor  their  veiled 

l^'dti  igs  know  how  to  dired  me  to  the 

V  '^^e  i  of  IJrael^    the  Lawgiver  coming 

^ur  oT  :hat  turns  away  Ungodlmefs  from 

7V::*-"'v  Tranfgreffion    from    Ifrael  \    ncA 

b>  experienced  Deliverance  wrought 

hi  <  iK.i^i  ii;     of   this  cloudy,    bewilder'd    and 
tcrr^picd  Str^i    which  I  was  in.  Oh  !  that  People 
vtould   copjf   to  him  that  hath  the  Eye-Jaive^ 
>rith  whk       f  the   Eye  be   truly    anointed,  it 
'^v'll  fet  c:     ly  Things   as   they    are,    and  not 
,rrk]y^   in  <      king  Trees  for  Men,  and  Things 
arLcftiiaJ   :      Things  coelellial ;  and  that  they 
5v,  uJd  bvv       3ld,  tried  by  the  Fire  of  him  that 
-  rai-e'd  Xu^:  'ried  Stone^  eleSl  2indi  precious ^  laid 
w  S/^<i}iJiv:  r   'foundation:   Ihis  is   Cbriji  whoxu 
e  tr^e  (        ch  beheves  in,    and  builds  upon, 
x\d  they  enriched  with  his  Love,  Power 

V  }^  Virtuv     A^hich   is  better  than  Gold   out^ 
irrily  ;  di  c.  is  the  Anointings    and  the  Unilion^ 
hich  the  tri;e  Church  hath,  and  doth  receive 
-ar  Chrill  tht  holy  One ;  and  fuch  as  do  truly 
it  on  his  Kighteoulhels,  Purity,  and  Holineft, 
ei"  Cio-^^^^i'  X  is  better  than  that  of  fine  Linen 
ivs^  u-  _       >h  !    that   all   the   Inhabitants  of 
'.f  Earth  m^    it  be  thus  anointed,  enriched  and 
ruly  cioath?       that  no  more  inward  Blindnefs 
r   pQverr>        ly  be  found  in   the  Children  of 
'^!i,  no:  Shame   of  their    Nakedncfs  bfi 

'     aicrc  ii^        now  or  hereafter, 
kc-ceivs   <        learn   thefe  Things,    you   that 
' -^ir      at  is  the  faithful  and  true  Wit- 

nefs. 


(      7      ) 

nefs,  that  always  witneffeth  agalirft'tfi    » 
Man,  but  always  giveth  Witnels  -o  the  1 
for   the  Good  iti  Men  which  they  do  L , 
think.     This  is  the   Spirit   of  ^lim   that 
dead^    and  is   alive^  no  more  to  he  kuGwu  . 
the  Fle/hy  as  the^Apoftle  gaye  Tefd?m>ny.    ^ 
is   to    be  known  inwardly   and   ipii  itual 
the  Children   of  Men,  to  open  lie  blind  1) 
and  unftop   the  deaf  Ear,    and  piercecb    ^^ 
the  Soul   that   hath    been    clouc^  d   and 
tivated,  imprifoned  and   mifguic'    I,  an 
in  a  Wildernels,  and  fees  not  a  Way  iai  lit 
verance  ;    hke   Jfrael  in  the   Laod    of   F  - 
when  the  Lord   Jehovah  fent  I'qfis^  a 
Type  of  Chrift,    and  employed  Jr^m   in     .\< 
great  Work  of  pleading  with,       id    pl-v     u 
Pharaoh  and  the  Egyptians  ;    y( 
their   Burdens  and  Afflidlions  iv^ 
and  their  Exercifes  more  imbittei^'d  unto   v}xtv 
until  that  great   and  marvellous  Work  wa 
a  good  degree  accompliflied,    wh  ch  was 
Deliverance  out  of  Egypt ^  the  great  and  \C: 
Wprk  for  which  Mqfes  was  chiefly  f^nt ;    v 
Deliverance   was   not  wrought  imtil  the  irr: 
born  of  Man,  and  of  Bead,  was  fiain  t'lrovi;:;! 
put  all  the  Land  of  Egypt. 

Now  the  clear  Opening  I  had  h  t  .e  Li? 
oi  what  is  to  be  underitood,  and  ginhvred  . 
hence,  is  not  the  Jlaying  of  the  oufix^hrij  .. 
but  2l  putting  off^  or  Jlaying  the  Bi^-ay  of  the  .1 
jqf  the  Flejh^  crucifying,  or  putting  off  tht 
Man  nvith  his  Deeds  ;  and  as  to  the  Beafi 
Cruelty,    Luft,    Puihing,  Tearing.  v>evcarm;. 


(      3       ) 

»a.  ind  Savagehefs,  is  to  be  (lain  or  put  away  ;  and 

i'l)  .he  corrupt  or  ftrong  Will  ot  Man,  as  well  as 

,«  9vhat  is  beaftial,  muft  be  flain  before  Man  can 

I  :     ome  from  under  the   Power  of  him    who   is 

iv    ailed  the  Prince  of  the  Poiver  of  the  Ah\  who 

y.    liles  in  the  Hearts  of  the  Children  of  Dijobedience^ 

hi   rhefe  Things  muft  be  experienced,  before  the 

"hildren  of  Men  can  go  forth  rightly  quali- 

-  ix;cl  to  glorify  God,  and  follow  his  dear  Son, 

:  whom  he  bath  appointed  to  be  a  Leader^  and 

)  a   Commander   of  his   People  :    This   is   he,    as 

Mo/es  declares,  zt^ho  is  to  be  heard  in  all  Things^ 

.;    mder  the  Penalty  of  being  cut  off  from  the  Peo- 

^i   'k ;  or  of  having  their  Names  blotted  out  of  tJoe 

w,    jook  of  Lfe;  or  being  defrrjed  of  the  Comforts 

'-  the  Lord' s  holy  Prejence.   Read  this,  you  Vv'ho 

u      /^  heard  and  underitood  'u^jat  the  Spirit  Jail h 

]f    ^ito  th'^^^Ct'urthes.—'ThdSc  Things   I  iaw,  after 

ii    ne   true    Witnefs    arofe    or   revived,    and  the 

,     ight   did  fhine    which    had  difappeared,    or. 

.id  been  clouded.     1  have  been  led  into  thefe 

1  Openings,  which  have  cauled  a  little  Digrefiioa 

•    "om  my  Wildernefs  State  1  mentioned  before, 

,     hich  I  now  return  to. 

<     After    much   Searching    without,     amongfl: 

..iofe  who  proved  to  me  Phyficians  of  no  Value ^ 

•;  md  mferable  Comforters^    I  betook  myfelf  to  a 

rv.V.nelGme  and  retired  Life,  breathing  after,  and 

r  T^ckin^  tfie  Lord    in  the   tields,    and    private 

'  P):ices,     befecching    him,    that  he  would  bring 

n^:e  to  the  faving   Knozvkdge  of  his  Truth ;    ?A\(i 

fjlffled  be  the   Name  of  the  Lord  now  and  for 

^^f-r,  i  had  not  fought  him  long   witii    all   my 

Heart, 


(      9      ) 

Heart,  before  I  met  with  his  inward  Appear^ 
ance  to  'me,  in  and  by  his  holy  Spirit,  Light 
and  Grace  J  but  when  the  trne  Light  did  begin 
to  ihine  more  clearly,  and  the  living  Witnefs 
did  arife  in  my  inward  Man,  Oh  thenmy  un- 
done, bewildered  and  miferable  Condition  began 
to  appear,  and  then  great  and  unutterable  were 
my  Conflidls,  and  the  Diftrels  I  was  in;. I 
thought  no  Man's  Condition  upon  the  Face  of 
the  whole  Earth  was  like  mine  ;  I  thought  I 
was  not  fit  to  die,  neither  did  I  know  how  to 
live;  I  thought  in  the  Evening,  Oh!  that  it 
nvas  Moi'ming ;  and  in  the  Morning,  that  it  'was 
Evening,  1  had  many  folitary  Walks  in  the 
Fields,  and  other  Places,  in  which  I  many^ 
Times  poured  out  my  Complaints  and  Cries 
before  the  Lord,  with  fervent  Supplications  to 
him,  that  he  would  look  upon  my  AfHiclions, 
and  the  ftrong  Temptations  I  was  then  under, 
and  that  he  would  rebuke  the  Adverf^iry  of 
my  Soul,  and  deliver  it,  for  I  even  thought  it 
was  as  in  the  Jaws  of  a  devouring  Lion,  and 
.  amongft  the  fiery  Spirits,  and,  as  it  were, 
under  the  Weight  of  the  Mountains,  Read 
and  underfland  the  AflBicPcions  of  thy  Brother, 
thou  that  haft  come  through  great  Tribulations, 
.  and  haft  wafhed  and  made  thy  Garments  v/hite 
in  the  Elood  of  the  Lamb;  this  is  the  Bcp'n- 
ning  of  that  Baptiiin  which  doth  farjc^  and  or 
that  Wafliing  of  Regeneration,  and  renewing 
of  the  holy  Ghoft,  which  the  hord  jl^eds  upon 
/the  Believers  in  abundance ;  this  is  the  Blood 
I  -Whica  Jprinklcth  the  Heart  from  an  evil  Cr.i^ 
r  Jciejtce'y 


(    w    ) 

Jctcncc^  that  the  Children  of  Men^  thu§  changed,. 
may  ferve  the  li'ving  and  true  God;  this  is  the 
Life  which  converts  the  Worlds  even  as  many  as 
are  converted;  this  is  the  Virtue,  Life  and 
Blood,  which  maketh  clean  the  Saints  Garments^ 
mid  in'wardly  ivajheth  them  from  all  lilthinefs^ 
both  of  Flejh  and  Spirit.  I  found  this  was  and 
is  he  of  whom  it  is  faid,  by  him  nvere  all  Things 
made^  and  he  is  Lord  of  all;  a  Man  ought  to 
be  Servant  to  him,  and  all  Things  in  Man  fub- 
fervient  to  him,  who  commands  and  compre** 
hends  all  Things,  in  whom  all  the  Types  and 
Shadows  alfo  do  end,  or  are  fulfilled.  Read  this 
thou  Virgin  Daughter,  or  clean  Church  of 
Chrift,  the  Rock  of  thy  Strength^  whofe  Name 
to  thee  is  as  precious  Ointment  poured  forth^  and 
becaufe  of  the  Savour  thereof  the  Virgins  love 
him^  and  are  under  great  Obligations  to  obey 
and  follow  him  the  Lamb  of  God,  wherefoevcr 
he  leadeth. 

Although  I  hadfeen  many  Things,  and  had 
divers  Openings,  yet  great  were  my  Trials,  and 
many  were  the  Temptations  I  met  with  in 
thofe  Days,  for  I  lived  at  a  Diftance  from 
Friends,  and  Meetings,  which  made  my  Exer- 
cife  the  harder,  as  will  more  fully  hereafter 
appear,  in  the  Courfe  of  my  Travels  and  Pil- 
grimage in  this  Vale  of  Tears  and  Troubles, 
and  fome  of  them  not  very  common  ;  but  the 
Lord  helped  me  through  them  all,  bleffed  be 
his  Name  for  ever. 

I  now  came  to  witnefs  that  Scripture  to  be 
fulfilled,  which  faith,  that  vihen  the  Lord's  Judge- 
ments 


(   "   ) 

ments  are  in  the  Earthy  or  earthly  Hearts  of 
Men,  the  Inhabitants  learn  Right eoufnejs  :  And 
notwithftaading  there  was  an  Averfion  in  my 
wild  Nature  to  the  People  in  fcorn  called  ^z^- 
kers^  as  alfo  to  the  Name  itfelf,  yet  when  the 
•afflidling  Hand  of  the  Lord  was  upon  me  for 
my  Difobedience,  and  when,  like  Ephraim 
and  Judah^  I  faw  in  the  Light  my  Hurt  and 
my  Woundy  I  bemoaned  myfelf,  and  mourned 
over  that  juft  Principle  of  Light  and  Grace  in 
me,  which  I  had  pierced  with  my  Sins  and 
Difobedience  ;  and  although  that  Miniftration 
of  Condemnation  was  glorious  in  its  Time,  vet 
great  were  my  Troubles,  which  humbled  my 
Mind,  and  made  me  willing  to  deny  myleli:  of 
every  Thing  which  the  Light  made  known 
in  me  to  be  evil,  I  being  in  great  Diftrefs,  and 
wanting  Peace  and  Alfurance  of  the  Love  of 
God  to  my  Soul  ;  the  Weight  of  which  fo 
humbled  my  Mind,  that  I  knew  not  of  any 
Calling,  People,  Pradlice,  or  Principle,  that  was 
lawful  and  right,  which  I  could  not  embrace, 
or  fall  in  with.  This  was  furely  like  the  Day 
of  Jacob's  Troubles,  and  David's  Fears  ;  I  faw 
that  the  Filth  of  Sion  was  to  be  purged  away  by 
the  Spirit  of  Judgment  and  of  Burning;  this  is 
the  Way  of  the  Deliverance  and  Recovery  of 
poor. Men  out  of  the  Fall,  and  the  Time  of  the 
Reftoration  of  the  Kingdom  to  God's  true 
J/raeL  Read  ye  that  can,  and  underftand.  This 
was  the  Day  of  my  Baptifm  into  the  Love  of 
God,  and  true  Faith  in  his  beloved  Son,  as  alfo 
into  a  Feeling  of,  or  Sympathy  with  him  in  his 

C  SuiFei'ings, 


ri 


(    f2    ) 

Sufferings,  which  were  unutterable,  and  I  found 
that  Miniftration  changed  ;  that  which  had 
been  unto  Death^  was  now  unto  Life  ;  and 
the  Miniftration  which  was  of  Condemnation 
unto  the  firft  Birth,  when  that  was  ilain,  and 
in  a  good  degree  nailed  or  faftcned  to  the  Crofs 
of  Chrift  the  Power  of  God,  then  the  Good 
prevailed  over  the  Evil,  and  working  out  the 
Evil  in  the  Mind,  and  alio  in  the  Membc^rs, 
made  all  good  or  holy.  The  Lord's  living 
Power,  and  confuming  burning  Word,  when 
it  works  and  prevails,  it  brings  into  Subjedion, 
and  maketh  the  very  Heart  or  Ground  holy 
in  Men. 

Whereas  there  had  been  an  Avcrfion  in  me 
to  the  People  called  in  fcorn  fakers ^  and  alfo 
to  their  ft:ri6l  living  and  Demeanour,  Plainnefs 
of  Habit,    and    Language,    none   of  which  I 
learned  from  them;  for  when  the  Lord  changed 
niy    Heart,    he    alfo    changed  my   Thoughts, 
Words  and  Ways,  and  there  became  an  Aver- 
fion  in  me  to  Vice,  Sin  and  Vanity,  as  there 
had  been  to  the  Ways  of  Virtue ;  but  having 
tafted  of  the  Terrors    and   Judgments  of  God 
becaufe  of  Sin,  I  was  warned  to  flee  from  fuch 
Things   as    occafioned  Chrift's   Coming,  not  tof 
bring    Peace  upon  the   Earthy    but  a  Sivord ;  a 
Sv.^ord   indeed,    yea,    his    Heart  -  penetrating, 
fearching  Word,  ijuhich  is  Jharper  than  any  tzvo- 
edged  Sivord^    that    pierceth  to    the  cutting  or 
di'viding  a/under  bct'ween  Flejh  and  Spirit^  Joints 
and  Ma^TGiv,     And  as  thus  I  came  to  fee  and 

abhor 


(      ^3      ) 

^bhortlie  Evil  in  myfelf,  when  fuch  who. had 
been  my  Companions  in  Vanity  reviled  me,  or 
,came  in  my  Way,  I  was  often  moved  to  warn 
and  reprove  them,  having,  as  before  hinted, 
tailed  of  the  Terrors  of  the  Lord  for  Sin,  I 
Gould  not  well  forbear  to  warn  others  to  flee 
fuch  Things  as  I  had  been  judged  for.  Now  I 
came  clearly  to  be  convinced  about  the  Hat- 
honow\  bo'wing  the  Knee^  the  corrupt  Language^ 
as  well  as  finery  in  Habit ;  all  which  for  Con- 
fcience-fake,  and  the  Peace  thereof,  I  came  to 
deny,  and  take  up  the  CJrofs  to,  and  had  great 
Peace  in  fo  doing. 

Although  the  bleffed  Truth  thus  prevailed  in 
me,  yet  notwithftanding,  I  was  not  without 
great  Confli6ls  of  Spirit,  Temptations  and  Trials 
ot  divers  kinds;  neverthelefs,  my  Mind  was 
refigned  to  the  Lord,  and  my  fervent  Prayers 
were  to  him,  and  he  kept  me,  and  opened  my 
Underftanding,  for  I  was  afraid  of  being  milled 
in  any  Thing,  efpecially  relating  to  my  Salva- 
tion :  I  came  to  be  weaned  from  all  my  Com- 
panions and  Lovers  which  I  had  taken  Delight 
and  Pleafure  in,  and  all  Things  in  this  World 
were  little  to  me,  my  Mind  being  much  re-^ 
deemed  out  of  the  World,  and  not  only  the 
corrupt  and  evil  Part  thereof,  but  even  from 
the  lawful  Part ;  fo  that  my  Heart  and  Mind 
became  much  inclined  and  given  up  to  feek  the 
Lord,  waiting  upon  him  to  feel  his  Prefence, 
and  Peace,  and  to  know  his  Will,  and  receive 
f  ower  to  do  the  fame* 


h^ 


(      u     ) 

As  thus  my  Mind  came  to  be  brought  into  a 
depending  and  waiting  Frame  upon  the  I  ord, 
and  to  be  (layed  in  the  I  ighi,  and  experiment- 
ally and  feelingly  to  partake  of  his  bove  and 
Grace,  which  helped  me  againfl:  my  hjfirmities, 
(bleifed  be  his  Name)  I  found  it  fufficient  for 
me,  as  1  kept  to  it,  in  all  Trials  and  Temjta^ 
tions :  Then  I  came  to  fee,  that  all  the  outward 
Performances  in  Matters  of  Religion  did  not 
avail  nor  render  Man  acceptable  to  God,  but  as 
the  Heart  came  to  be  truly  given  up  to  him, 
that  he  might  not  only  purge  it  from  Defile- 
ment, but  keep  it  clean  through  the  Indwelling 
of  his  holy  Spirit:  And,  as  near  as  I  remember, 
I  faw  clearly  through  thefe  Things  before  the 
lixteenth  Year  of  my  Age  ;  although,  between 
the  Death  of  my  Father  and  this  Time,  1  took; 
Liberty  to  go  among  what  People  I  would,  my 
Mother  giving  us  great  Liberty,  ahhough  fhe 
was  a  Woman  well  accounted  of  among  all 
People  who  knew  her,  and  not  undtftrvedly, 
for  her  Indullry  and  fair  Dealing  concerning 
theThirgs  of  this  World, 

After  this  Time  I  attended  the  Meetmgs  of 
the  Lord's  People  caiied  ^mkers,  as  diligently 
as  my  Circumilances  would  well  acimii :  My 
Mother  being  left  with  five  Children,  i  had 
Only  one  Sitter  who  was  elder  than  nn  ieif 
and  three  Brothers  younger,  the)Oungeft  about 
three  Years  old  when  my  Father  died,  he  leav- 
ing but  little  of  this  World  to  bring  us  up  with  j 
yet  my  Parents  always  had  as  much  as  kept 
them~ above  Coutempt,   and  no   boay   loff  by 

tiiem  j^ 


(      15      ) 

them ;  but  I  found  myfelf  under  a  Neceffity 
to  work  hard  for  my  own  Support,  the  Help  of 
my  Mother,  and  Education  of  my  Brothers, 
more  efpecially  as  my  Sifter  died  foon  after. 

We  being  left  in  a  Farm  of  Grazing,  and 
part  Hufl^andry  or  Tillage,  did  well  as  to  the 
Things  of  this  World,  yet  I  cannot  well  omit 
nientioning  one  Thing  which  became  a  great 
Exercife  to  me,  which  was  thus ;  my.Mother 
married  one  that  was  zealous  for  the  Presbytery^ 
and  I  being  much  agamft  it,  fliewed  my  Dif- 
like  to  the  Marriage,  and  told  my  Mother,  / 
ivas  afraid  that  jhe  had  too  much  an  Eye  to  'what 
he  h'ld^  for  he  was  counted  rich  as  to  this 
Woiid;  but  if  Poe  thought  to  augment  Our  Por-^ 
tions  info  marrying y  •th^  Hand  of  the  Lord  nsoould 
ht  againji  her^  aud  a  Blajiing  or  Mildeiv  ivould 
covne  upon  e^en  that  ni'hicb  *we  had  got  through 
Indujlry  and  hard  Labour^  and  lA^hat  the  Lord 
had  intended  to  ha^e  bleffed ,  to  us^  if  ^uje  kept 
faithful  to  the  Truths  and  contented  ourjelnjes  ijuith 
our  prefent  Conditions.  Then  my  Mother  con- 
feft,  that  as  to  the  ivorldly  Enjoyme7ttSy  it  had 
not  been  better  ivith  her  than  noiv.  1  muft  write 
Witn  great  Caution;  fhe  was  my  Mother,  and 
a  tender  Mother  over  me,  and  was  loth  to 
offend  me,  and  had  promifed,  as  far  as  flie  well 
durft,  not  to  marry  with  any  one  with  whom 
I  was  not  fatisfied.  But  as  to  their  Procedure 
in  Courtfhip,  and  Marriage,  from  this  Tirge  I 
was  intirely  ignorant,  until  it  was  accompliflfed. 
Jiut  when  my  poor  Mother  was  married,  her 
Cry  was,  My  Son^  hoivjloall  I ^ver  he  able  to  look 

*         bim 


(       i6      ) 

him  in  the  Face  any  more^  it  ijoill  he  fuch  a  Trou- 
ble to  him ;  he  that  hath  not  at  any  Time  difobliged 
me^  but  if  I  hid  him  go^  he  ran;  and  if  1  bid 
him  do  any  Things  he  did  it  uoith  all  his  Might  y 
or  to  that  Effe6l,  as  feveral  told  me  who  heard 
her.  But  ihe  being  married,  what  we  had  was 
mixed  with  my  Father-in-Law's  Goods,  and 
my  Mother  died  firft,  and  our  Father  married 
again,  made  his  Will,  and  dying,  left  me  Five 
Shillings  for  all  my  Part,  which  was  of  Right 
to  defcend  from  my  own  Parents  vipon  rne  5  I 
gave  his  Executors  a  Receipt  in  full,  and  there 
was  an  End  of  all,  except  fome  fmall  Matter 
given  to  my  youngelt  Brother,  for  the  reft  of 
my  Brothers  and  Sifter  were  dead.  As  near  as  I 
remember,  this  Marriage  was  in  the  eighteenth 
Year  of  my  Age,  fo  that  what  I  forefaw  about 
the  Blafi  and  Mildeiv^  came  to  pafs. 

Now  to  return  to  my  further  Account  con- 
cerning the  Troubles  and  Trials  that  attendee^ 
me  in  the  Time  while  I  was  in  my  Father-in- 
Law  and  Mother's  Houfe,  after  Marriage;  we, 
and  what  we  had,  being  removed  to  his  Houfe, 
except  Part  of  the  Stock  which  was  left  in  the 
Ground.  Now  I  forefaw  that  I  was  like  to 
come  to  a  great  Trial,  and  I  was  brought  very 
low,  what  with  the  Trouble  about  the  MarT 
riage,  and  the  E,xercife  of  my  Mind  concerning 
TTj  own  Condition,  having  had  many  great 
Cc:^flicls  of  Spirit,  {o  that  1  was  almoft  in  De- 
i  tir,  had  not  the  Lord,  in  whom  I  believed, 
riten  in  his  Power,  and  rebuked  the  Adver- 
fary  of  my  Soul,  I  had  been  overthrow^n,  and 

fwallowed 


{      ^7      ) 

fwallowed  up  in  the  Floods  of  the  Temptation?^ 
that  were  caft  out  of  the  Mouth  of  the  red 
fiery-Hk-e  Dragon  after  me,  in  this  the  Day  of 
my  great  and  ftrong  Trouble  and  Travail;  but 
the  God  of  Love  and  Pity  fav^  me,  and  helped 
me  in  my  Diftrefs,  and  in  a  Day  and  Time 
acceptable;  he  that  heard  poor  IJlomad  w^hen 
-he  cried  from  under  the  Shrub,  and  fent  or  gave 
Relief  to  him  and  his  Mother,  who  with  him 
was  gone  from  Abraharns  Houfe,  faw  me  in 
this  great  Strait.  Alfo,  when  I  came  to  my 
Father's  Houfe,  he  being  a  Man  much  given 
to  Family  Duties,  of  faying  Grace,  &c.  before 
and  after  Meat,  none  of  which  I  could  comply 
with^  except  I  felt  evidently  the  Spirit  of  Truth 
to  attend  therein,  and  open  the  Heart  and 
Mouth  into  fuch  Duties.  The  firft  Day  I  came 
to  the  Houfe,  being  called  to  the  Table  with 
all  or  moil  of  our  Family,  I  thought,  Is  it  noiv 
^coyne  to  this  ?  I  mufl  either  difpleafe  my  heavenly 
or  earthly  Father :  Rut  oh  !  the  Av^fulnefs,  or 
deep  Exercife  which  was  upon  my  Spirit,  and 
ftrong  Cries -that  afcended  unto  the  Lord  for 
my  Help  and  Prefervation  that  I  might  not 
offend  him.  My  Father-in-Law  fat  with  his 
Hat  partly  on,  and  partly  off,  with  his  Eyes 
fixed  on  me,  as  likewife  mine  were  on  him  in 
much  Fear ;  fo  we  continued  as  long  or  longer 
than  he  ufed  to  be  in  faying  Grace,  as  they  cal! 
it,  but  faid  nothing  that  we  heard  ;  fo  at  length 
he  put  on  his  hat  again,  to  the  Wonder  of  the 
Family :  Neither  did  he  then,  or  ever  after, 
a&  me  why  I  did  not  put  off  my  Hat ;  neither 

did 


(      i8      ) 

did  he  perform  that  Ceremony  all  the  Time  1 
flayed  with  him,  which  was  above  one  Year: 
Thus  the  Lord  hel[>ed  me,  renowned  be  his 
great  Name  now  and  for  ever.  My  Father 
might  feem  for  Age,  Spirit  and  Underftanding, 
to  nave  been  much  more  than  a  Match  for  me 
a  poor  Shrub,  but  the  Lord  (who  caufed  the 
Pillar  of  the  Cloud  to  be  bright  and  give  Light 
to  Ifraely  and  brought  Darknefs  upon  the  Egyp^ 
tians^  and  fought  againft  them,  and  for  Ijrael) 
I  believe  touched  and  Imote  my  poor  Father, 
that  he  could  not  rife  up  againft  that  Power  the 
Lord  helped  me  with.  For  it  Vas  not  mine 
but  the  Lord's  doing,  to  him  be  given  the  Attri- 
butes of  Praife,  Salvation  and  Strength,  now 
and  for  ever.  I  faw  clearly,  that  there  could 
jiot  be  any  true  and  acceptable  Worfhip  per- 
formed to  God,  but  what  was  in  the  Spirit,  and 
in  the  Truth,  neither  could  any  pray  aright, 
but  as  the  Spirit  helped  them,  which  teacheth 
how  to  pray,  and  what  to  pray  for,  and  rightly 
prepares  the  Mind,  and  guides  it  in  the  Perform- 
ance of  every  Service  which  the  Lord  calls  for 
from  his  Children. 

I  found  my  Father-in-Law  was  much  dif- 
plealed  with  my  going  to  Meetings,  yet  I  could 
not  fee  what  Way  to  appeafe  his  Difpleafure, 
except  in  being  very  diligent  (which  1  was)  in 
his  Bufniefs,  rather  beyond  my  Ability,  work- 
ing very  hard  ;  it  is  almoit  incredible  what  my 
poor  little  weak  Body  v/ent  through  in  thofe 
Days,  but  all  would  not  g^iin  his  Love,  for  the 
longer  I  ftay'd  with  him,  the  more    his  ]-ove 

declined 


(       i9      ) 

declined  from  me;  although  I  told  him,  he  need 
not  be  uneajy  about  ray  Wages^  for  I  ivould  leave 
that  to  himfelf:  I  could  not  fee  what  he  could 
have  againft  me,  except  my  going  to  Meetings^ 
however  that  was  all  he  alledged.  Now  when 
his  former  Stratagems  would  hot  do,  he  offered 
ttie  a  Horfe  to  ride  on,  if  1  would  go  w^irh  him 
to  his  Place  of  VVorfliip.  1  met  with  manv  a 
Snib  and  four  Countenance  from  him,  in  my 
return  on  Foot  from  Meetings,  although  as  i'ea- 
fonably  as  my  Body  Was  capable  of  pertorming; 
for  my  Father  commonly  fent  me  on  the  Firtl- 
day  Mornings  into  the  Fields  a  Mile  or  two, 
and  as  far  upon  a  Common  to  Idok  at  Beafts, 
Horfes,  and  Sheep  (all  this  on  Foot)  I  thought 
with  a  Defign  to  weary  and  make  me  uncapabie 
of  going  to  Meetings  5  all  which  I  bore  patient- 
ly, neither,  that  I  rememberj  ever  laid,  this  is 
hardUfage\  after  all  this,  to  the  great  Grief  of 
my  poor  Mother,  I  had  to  go  two,  three, 
four,  five,  and  fometimes  fix  Miles,  to  Friends 
Meetings.  After  I  had  walked  fafl,  and  ran 
fometimes  with  my  Shoes  under  my  Arms  for 
want  of  Time,  I  have  feen  many  Friends  weep, 
clnd  could  not  forbear  when  they  faw  me  come 
into  the  Meeting  very  hot  and  in  a  great  Sweat, 
they  being  in  part  ienfible  of  the  hard  Talk  I 
had  to  undergo. 

There  is  one  Thing  fomewhat  remarkable, 
which  was  thus;  one  Firft-day  Morning  when 
I  was  about  going  to  the  Meeting,  my  Father 
faid,  if  I  *would  ride  upon  Juch  a  young  Mare^  as 
he  mentioned,    /  might;  which  was  one  of  rae 

D  greateft 


(       ro       ) 

greatefl  of  ten  or  twelve  Horfes  which  he  kept, 
about  four  Years  old,  and  not  before  rid  at  all : 
I  thought  his  Defign  was  more  to  hinder  me  of 
the  Meeting  than  any  Good  to  me,  or  any  Ex- 
pedlation  of  getting  his  Mare  rightly  broke,  but 
I  accepted  his  Offer,  only  afking  how  I  might 
catch  her  ?  Having  got  Help  to  anfwer  that, 
Ihe  being  abroad,  I  put  on  the  Bridle  and 
mounted  the  topping  Beaft,  and  upon  her  firft 
Refiftance,  down  ihe  came;  for  that  was  my 
way :  And  if  the  firft  or  fecond  Fall  did  not, 
the  third  moftly  cured  them  from  ftriving  to 
throw  the  Rider;  I  commonly  fell  upon  my 
Feet,  and  endeavoured  fo  to  free  my  Legs  that 
flie  might  not  fall  upon  them,  and  then  fprang 
up  on  her  Back  while  down,  and  made  her  rife 
with  me;  fo  away  we  went,  and  came  in  du« 
Time  to  the  Meeting.  This  w^as  partly  the 
beginning  of  this  way  of  managing  Horfes  by 
me;  fo  I  rid  to  the  Meetings  two  or  three 
Times,  and  then  my  Father  afl<:ed  me,  if  the 
Mare  did  not  carry  me  Joberly?  I  replied,  Jloe 
did;  then  I  muft  have  her  no  more,  he*  w^ould 
make  her  his  Saddle-Mare ;  fo  I  betook  myfelf 
to  my  Feet  again,  except  fome  other  fuch  like 
Turn  came.  The  Lord's  mighty  Power  bore 
me  up,  and  he  gave  nie  as  it  were  Hind's  Feet, 
and  enabled  me  to  go  through  thefe  Exercifes, 
and  to  bear  the  Burden  in  the  Heat  of  the 
Day  of  my  Trials,  inwardly  and  outwardly, 
which  were  rnany  and  various. 

Now  the  laft  Stratagem  my  Father  ufed  to 
hinder  my  going  to   Meetings  was  th^us ;    he 

took 


(   21    ) 

took  me  in  his  Arms  in  great  fhew  of  Kindnefs, 
faying,   if  I  ivould  be  as  a  Son  to  hhn^  f  Jhould 
jind  he  ivould  he  a  Father  to  me^  expreffing  fome- 
tliing  about  his  having  no  near  Kindred,  (and 
much  more  to  the  fame  Effedt  he  faid  to  my 
Brother   Daniel^    who  was  an  innocent,    wife, 
and  clean-fpirited  Lad)  I  repUed  to  him,  if  in 
thus  7naking  me  thy  Soji^    thou   intends   to  hinder 
ine  from  going  to  Meetings^  or  to  oblige  me  to  go 
ivith  thee  to  the  Prefbyterian  Meetings^    or  any 
Thing  that  is  againji  my  Confcience^  I  cannot  upon 
this  Bottom  he  thy  Son;  and,  for  the  fame  Rea- 
ifons,  I  refufed  to  be  his  hired  Servant,  although 
he    offered   to   hire  me^    and  give  me  Wages. 
Now  when  he  faw  that  neither  Frowns,  Threat- 
nings,  Hardfhips,  nor  great  Promifes  of  Kind- 
nefs could  prevail  with  me,  he  told  me  bluntly 
and  roughly,  I  JJjouldJlay  no  longer  in  his  Houfe: 
I  innocently  anfwered,    /   could    not  help  it  if 
it  mufi  he  foy    as  all  I  could  do  ivould  not  give 
him  Contefity  ivithout  hurting  my  Confcience^  and 
the  Teace  of  7ny  Mind^  ivhich  I  valued  above  all 
muiahle  Things  of  this  World.     My  poor  Mother 
heard  my  pleading  with  him,  and  how  I  offered 
to  do  the  bed  for  him  I  was  capable  of   by 
Night  or  Day,    (as  I  always  had  done)  if  he 
would  be  eafy,    and  let  me  have  his  Counte- 
nance; but  this  was  the  Sentence,  Ko^  J  fhould 
not  flay  in  the  Hoife :  And  indeed  that  troubled 
my  poor  Mother  fo,  that  I  was  forced  to  leave 
my  Father,  and  go  to  endeavour  to  mitigate  her 
great  Trouble  by  telHng  her,  that  if  I  ivas  but 
faithful^    the  Lord^  I  believed^  ivould  take  Care. 
^  ,  oj 


(   "    ) 

of  me  that  JJhould  not  in  ant;  and  the  more  fully 
to  discharge  myfelf,  I  reminded  her,  that  as JJje 
had  entered  into  Marriage  Covenants  ivith  her 
Husband^  Jhe  Jhould  endeavour  to  perjorm  them^ 
and  in  every  1  hing  faithfully  to  dijcharge  herjelf 
as  a  Wife  ou^ht  to  do  to  a  Husband^  and  leave  me 
and  all^  ana  cleave  to  him^  and  to  make  her  Life 
as  eafy  as  JJje  could:  I  alfo  told  her,  never  to  fend 
vie  any  Thing  that  my  Father  kneiu  not  of  for  I 
izms  not  free  to  receive  it;  although  what  we 
had  was  in  his  Hand,  and  all  funk  there,  a^  I 
ipentioned  before. 

I  write  this  partly,  that  all  who  dp  marry, 
inay  take  fpecial  heed  that  it  be  done  witl^ 
great  Caution,  and  under  due  Confiderarion, 
and  the  Lord  fought  to  in  it,  that  it  may  be 
done  in  his  Gouniel,  and  not  only  nominallv, 
but  truly  in  bis  Fear^  and  then  no  doubt  but  it 
will  be  well  with  both  Hufband  and  Wife; 
and  being  equally  yoked,  fuch  will  not  only  he 
meet  and  true  Jielpers  in  all  Things  belongiag 
to  this  Life,  but  more  efpecially  in  Things  ap- 
pertaining to  the  World  that  is  to  come,  and 
the  Good  of  the  immortal  Soul,  which  to  the 
faithful  People  of  the  Lord  is  ot  grear  Value. 
Oh,  how  happily  and  peaceably  do  (ucli  live 
together  in  the  Lord,  as  they  keep  to  that 
which  thus  joined  them!  There  is  more  in  it, 
both  as  to  the  Parents  and  their  Ppftericy,  thani 
it  is  to  be  feared  many  coniider  or  think  of,  as 
is  but  too  apparent  in  the  rhany  forward  aiid 
unequal  Marriages  whicii  1  have  made  Obfer- 
vatian  o£ 

One 


(         23         ) 

One.  remarkable  Paffage  occurs  to  my 
Thoiughts,  which  happened  thus*,  my  Father 
having  been  ^t  the  Presbyterian  Meeting  and 
come  home,  he,  as  his  manner  was,  put  me  or 
my  Brother  upon  reading  the  Priefl's  Text, 
which  had  been  tha):  Day  in  Daniel^  concerning 
kis  being  caft  into  the  Den  of  Lions  for  his  not 
regarding  the  King's  Decree,  but  on  the  con- 
trary prayed  to  the  God  of  Heaven  with  hi$ 
Windows  open  toward  Jerujalem^  after  his 
ipvonted  manner.  My  Father  made  his  Obfer- 
yations  as  my  Brother  read,  and  very  much 
inagniiied  Daniel^  and  faid,  the  Spirit  of  God 
ivas  in  him^  but  that  there  'were  none  Juch  as 
bim  in  theje  our  Days.  I  owned  that  he  was 
indeed  an  extraordinary  Man^  but  that  there 
were  ?ione  endouued  *with  a  Meafure  of  the  fame 
spirit  in  any  Degree^  in  that  I  diffented  from 
him,  and  gave  my  Father  a  brief  Account  of  the 
many  Sufferings  of  our  Friends,  fome  of  which 
"V^ere  part,  and  fome  then  under  Sufferings  for 
the  Worci  of  God,  and  the  Teftimony  of  Jefus, 
which  they  bore  for  him,  and  efpecially  the 
great  Sufferings  of  our  dear  Friends  in  New-' 
England^  viz.  hard  Imprifonments,  cruel  Whip- 
pings, cutting  off  Ears,  Banifhment  if  they  re- 
turned into  NeiV" England  any  more;  and  I 
lliewed  him  likewife,  how  they  put  to  D  ath 
Marmadiike  Stephenjon^  JVilliam  Robtnjon^  Wil-- 
Ham  Leddra^  and  Mary  Dyer^  for  no  other 
Caufe  but  labouring  to  turn  People  from  Dark-' 
Ticjs  to  Eighty  and  Jrom  the  Ponvcr  of  Satan  to 
the  living  Fo^jua  of  Qod^  tQ  his  Light,  Grace 
'  ^  '  "'  and 


(      H     ) 

and  holy  Spirit  in  their  Hearts,  and  labouring 
to  bring  the  People  from  Perfecution,  Pride, 
and  every  evil  Work  and  Way,  to  live  a 
felf-denying,  humble  Life,  a  Life  agreeable  to 
the  Chrijiianity  they  profefled;  this  was  the 
Purport  or  Subftance  of  the  Service  they  were 
called  to,  and  fo  deeply  fuffered  for:  From 
whence  I  inferred,  there  was  fbmewhat  of  the 
Spirit  of  God  in  Man  in  thefe  Days  as  there 
was  in  Daniel^  and  many  more  formerly,  which 
helped  and  bore  them  up  in  their  great  Suffer- 
ings.    Now  my  Father  confefTed,  it  zvas  true 

Jonie  fuffercd  for  Good^    and  fome  for  Evil;   and 
withal  faid,  he  had  nozu  lived  to  the  Age  of  about 

Jixty  five  Years ^  and  altho  he  heard  us  telling  of  a 
Principle^  or  Light  vuithin^  yet  he  knevo  not  vuhat 
it  ivas,  I  replied  very  meekly,  If  he  vuould  hear 
me^  I  ivoitld  tell  him  ivhat  it  ivas ;  which  I  did 
in  the  Words  following  :  When  at  any  Time 
thou  hqfl  been  under  a  Tejnptation  to  pit  forth 
thy  Hand  to  fteal^  or  to  lie  for  Advantage^  or 
by  Provocation  to  fvoear^  or  any  evil  Work  or 
Word^  hafi  not  thou  found  fomething  in  thee^  that 
hath  fljetved  thee  thou  ought efl  not  to  have  faid 
or  done  fo^  ivhich  if  thou  hadfl  taken  heed  to^ 
and  not  J  aid  or  done  vorong^  haft  thou  not  found 
great  Peace  and  invoard  Comfort  in  thy  Mind? 
But  if  thou  haft  faid  or  done  vorong^  haft  not 
thou  found  great  Difquietnefs  and  Tiouble  of 
Mind?  This  is  the  invuard  Principle^  Lights  or 
Grace,  that  God  hath  placed  in  Man  to  help  and- 
dirtfl  hvn,  vchich  ive  the  People  oj  God  called 
Quakers,  do  hold  agreeable -to  the  Holy  Scriptures, 

My 


{      25      ) 

My  Father  fmote  his  Hands  together,  and  con- 
feffed  it  uuas  true. 

But  that  I  was  not  willing  to  break  in  upon 
this  Story,  but  keep  it  entire,  there  was  one 
Thing  worthy  of  Notice,  which  I  now  come 
to,  wiftiing  it  may  be  duly  confidered  by  all 
who  read  or  hear  it :  When  I  mentioned 
Mannaduke  Stephen/on^  that  good  Man  and 
great  Sufferer  in  the  Caufe  of  Chrift,  as  before, 
my  Mother  faid,  it  ivas  true-,  for  flie  lived  a 
Servant  with  Edivard  Wilhcrfofs^  an  honeft 
^aker  in  Skipton,  where  Mannaduke  Stephen- 
/on  was  a  Day-labourer,  about  the  Time  he 
had  his  Call  to  go  to  Neiv- England.  See  the 
Account  of  NeiV' England  judged,  not  by  Man 
as  Man,  but  by  ,the  Spirit  of  the  living  God, 
written  by  George  Bijhop,  If  1  remember  right, 
ihe  faid,  He  ivas/ueh  a  Man  as  Jhe  never  kneiv^/or 
his  very  Countenance  ivas  a  Terror  to  thcni^  and  he 
hud  a  great  Check  upon  all  the  Family  ]  if  at  any 
Time  any  of  the  Servants  had  been  wild^  or  any 
way  out  0/  the  Truth^  i/  they  did  but  /ce  him^  or 
hear  him  comings  they  were  /iruck  with  Fear^  and 
were  all  quiet  and  fill:  And  if  but  one  of  the 
Children  came  into  the  Houfe  where  he  labour- 
ed, and  he  would  not  have  it  to  come,  thefc 
were  his  Words,  Go  thy  way^  or  go  Homc^  k/c  I 
whip  thee;  and  they  were  fubje6l  and  quiet.  This 
ample  and  excellent  Account,  I  thought  had  feme 
Reach  upon  my  Father,  however,  it  much  af- 
feded  my  Mind.  Oh!,  that  we  the  Profeflbrs 
of  the  fame  holy  Truth,  may  fo*  live  in  it,  as 

to 


(      26      ) 

to  reign  over  every  v^rong  Thing  in  onrfelves^ 
and  aifo  in  others,  but  elpecially  in  our  Chil- 
dren. 

Some  little  Time  before  the  Marriage  of  my 
Mother,  I  was  brought  into  the  public  Work 
of  the  Miniftry,  concerning  which  I  had  many 
Reaibnings,  being  young,  fcarce  eighteen  Years 
old,  and  naturally  of  a  ftammering  Tongue, 
which  I  could  not  overcome,  although  i  had  ufed 
what  Endeavours  lay  in  my  Power  as  a  Man^ 
coniidering  my  Years  and  Education,  all  would 
not  do  until  the  Truth  helped  me:  But  after 
many  Confli(?ts,  great  Troubles  and  Tempta- 
tions, the  worft  I  ever  met  with,  and  the 
moft  piercing  Sorrow  I  ever  had  yet  been  in 
fince  1  came  to  the  Knowledge  of  the  blefled 
Truth  was,  when  through  Reafonings,  Difobe- 
dience,  and  Unwillingnefs  to  comply  with,  and 
anfwer  the  Lord's  Requirings,  he  in  Difpleafure 
took  away  from  me  the  Comfort  of  his  holy 
Preience  for  feveral  Months  together.  Oh !  the 
Tribulations  and  penetrating  Troubles  I  met 
witlial  in  this  Condition,  no  Tdngue  is  able  to 
exprefs,  no  nor  the  Heart  of  any  finite  Creature 
is  able  to  conceive  the  Depth  of  the  Anxiety  of 
the  Heart-piercing  and  wounding  Sorrows  I  was 
in;  I  thought  my  .^tate  was  as  bad  as  Jonah' s^ 
for  furely  if  there  be  a  Mell  upon  Earth,  I  was 
in  it:  What  greater  Hell  can  be  here  to  a 
quickened  Soul,  and  an  enlightned  Underftand- 
ing,  who  hath  tafted  of  the  Goodnefs  of  God^ 
and  of  the  Powers,  in  a  degree,  of  the  World 
to  come,  than  to  be  deprived  tiiereof,  and  think 

they 


(   ^f   ) 

they  are  fallen  away  from  this  State  ?  I  corJct 
fcarcely  believe  I  fhould  ever  have  Repentance 
granted  to  me,  .or  be  reftor'd  again  into  rlic 
Love  and  Favour  of  God,  when  I  found  that 
River  of  Life  dried  up^  as  to  me,  niyhich  uid 
before^  not  only  make  me^  but  even  all  the  ivhole 
City  of  Gody  truly  glad:  But  being  left  under 
an  Apprehenlion  of  the  Lord's  Difpleafure,  and 
in  part  a  Partaker  of  the  Terrors  of  his  Wrath  ; 
Oh !  I  thought,  furely  the  very  Mountains,  and 
even  the  Hills,  were  not  fufEcient  (if  they  could 
have  been  put  into  the  Scales  or  Balance)  to 
have  weighed  againfl  my  Troubles  and  Afllic- 
tions  they  were  fo  great ;  but  as  the  Lord  had 
by  his  Judgments  brought  me  in  a  good  degree 
from  the  Vice  and  Vanity  of  this  World,  now 
by  his  Judgments  he  made  me  willing  to  give 
up  to  anfwer  his  Requirings  in  part,  and  in  my 
Obedience  to  him  I  began  to  feel  fome  Com- 
fort of  Love  and  fellowihip  of  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  in  myfelf,  and  in  his  People,  who  were 
brought  to  be  Partakers  of  the  like  Fellovvihip. 

Now  I  return  to  the  Matter  about  my  being 
turned  out  of  my  Father's  Houfe,  which  I 
mentioned  before,  but  was  willing  to  keep  this 
folemn  Account  entire,  with  Defires  it  may  be 
a  Caution  to  all,  in  whom  the  Lord  is  at  work 
in  the  fame  manner,  not  to  reafon  or  gainfay 
fo  much  as  I  did,  but  to  give  up  freely  and 
cheerfully,  to  the  Will  of  God.  When  I  faW  I 
mud  turn  out,  I  thought  it  expedient  to  ac- 
quaint fome  worthy  Friends  with  it,  lelt  any 
undue  Refledions  ihouldbe  call  upon  the  1  rut ii^ 

E  or 


(      ^8       ) 

or  Friencb,  of  myfelf,  that  if  fo,  thefe  Friends 
might  be  able  to  contradidl  them  ;  fo  1  ac- 
quainted Sebajiian  Ellethorp^  and  that  worthy 
Man  and  IMiniftcr  of  the  Gofpel  Benjamin 
Padley^  two  of  the  chief  Friends  in  Ellington 
Monthly-meeting,  and  they  came  to  my  Fa- 
ther's Houfe,  and  when  they  came,  they  began 
to  enquire  about  the  Reafons  ijuhy  I  ivent  aivay  F 
and,  if  my  Father  had  any  Thing  againji  me 
concerning  the  Bujinefs  he  employed  me  in  ?  And, 
^whether  I  ivas  not  fait hf  til  and  diligent  in  all  his 
Affairs  he  fent  me  about  ?  He  confelTed,  I  ivas  ; 
and  thought  none  could  exceed  me.  They  faid,- 
JVell  then^  njuhat  is  the  Reafon  of  that  Mifunder- 
Jlanding  ni^hich  is  betivixt  thee  and  thy  Son-ifi-' 
Laiv ?  Is  it  about  his  going  to  Meetings?  When 
they  underftood  his  Reafons,  which  were  not 
hard  to  do,  they  expreifed  a  Pity  towards  me 
that  I  could  have  no  more  Liberty  ;  and  they 
thought,  as  I  Was  fo  diligent  in  his  Bufinefs,  if 
he  would  give  me  a  little  more  Liberty  to  go  to 
Meetings,  it  would  be  more  'Encouragement  to 
me.  At  which  he  took  Offence,  and  gave  the 
good  Men  rough  Language,  and  allied,  What 
they  had  to  do  nvith  him  and  his  Son?  and  bid 
them  go  Home  and  mind  their  oivn  Buftncfs  ; 
which  they  wer^  much  troubled  at,  efpecially 
for  my  Sake,  and  much  pitied  me,  and  wonder- 
ed how  I  had  lived  with  him  fo  long  ;  for  he 
faid  in  fliort^  that  there  ivas  no  Abiding  for  me 
there.  But  Sebajiian  Ellethorp  told  me,  w^hich 
was  mightily  to  my  Comfort,  that  my  Father 
l^ad  nothing  againft  me,  fave  that  concerning  the 

La%v' 


(   H  ) 

Law  of  my  God.  This  .is  the  Senfe,  if  not  the 
Words,  of  thefe  wife  and  good  Men,  which 
palTed  betwixt  them  and  my  Father,  as  they 
^exprelTed  them  to  me;  for  I  was  not  there 
when  they  were  together. 

Nptwithftanding  I  pleaded  with  my  Father  to 
let  me  ftay  until  I  could  hear  of  a  Place,  he 
would  not,  though  I  was  fcarce  fit  for  Service,  be- 
ing almoft  like  an  Anatomy  (as  the  Saying  is)  fo 
that  mod  who  knew  me,  faid^  I uDould  pine  aivay 
in  a  Confumpt'ion ;  but  tura  out  I  muft,  and  did, 
though  I  was  weak,  poor  and  low  in  Body, 
Mind,  Pocket  and  Gloaths  ;  for  I  think  I  had 
but  Twelve- pence  in  my  Pocket,  and  very 
ordinary  deaths  upon  iny  Back.  Thus  I  took 
my  folemn  Leave  of  the  Family,  with  my 
Heart  full,  but  I  kept  inward  to  the  Lord,  and 
under  Truth's  Government ;  many  Tears  were 
fhed  in  the  Family,  efpecially  by  my  poor 
Mother,  \yhen  I  left  them  ;  my  Father  faid 
little,  but  appeared  like  one  ftruck  with  Won- 
der, to  fee  fo  much  Love  manifefted  towards 
me  by  the  F'amily,  and  fo  much  wifhing  that  I 
might  not  go  away  :  But  out  I  came  upon  the 
great  Common  aforementioned,  where  I  had 
had  many  folitary  Walks,  but  none  like  this, 
for  this  Reafon,  that  I  kneiv  not  ivhere  to  go.  I 
then  thought  of  Abraham  who  was  called  out 
of  Ur  in  the  Land  of  the  Chaldeans^  as  it  is 
briefly  mentioned  by  Stephen -^  but  this  was  the 
Difference  betwixt  us,  he  was  called^  I  was 
forced  out.  But  as  I  was  walking  upon  the 
Common,  the   Senfe  of  my   weak    Condition, 

not 


(      30      ) 

jiot  knowing  whither  to  go,    nor   where  to  lay 
lT\y   Head,   aithoi  gh  1  had   many  Friends,    yet 
I  couid  not  be  free  to  go  to  them,  unlefs  1  had 
ki'-own  they  had  Enfinefs  for  me,  behig  not  of 
a  forward,   but  rather  backward  and  ihy  Diipo- 
fition.     1    fay,  the  Senfe   and   Weight    of  my 
Condition  came  over  me  to  that  degree,  that  it 
appeared  to  me  as  tho'  my  Way  was  hedged  up 
on  every  "ide,  inwardly  and  outwardly  ;   I  even 
thought  myfelf  like  a  Pelican  in  the  Wildernefs, 
or  as  an  Owl  in  the  Defart,  there  appearing  to 
me  fcarce  a  Man  in  all  the  Earth  in  my  Condi- 
tion, every  way   confidered  ;     and  in  the  Senfe 
and   deep   Confideration  of  my  prefent  Wilder- 
iiels  State,  1  felt  myfelf  under  a  great  Oppreffioa 
of  Spirit,  and   my  Heart   feemed  fu  1,    like  a 
Bottle  that  wanted  Vent :  1  looked  round  about 
me  to  fee  that  none  were  near  to  fee  my  Tears 
nor  hear  my  Cries,  and  in  the  very  Anguifh  and 
Bueernefs  of  my  "^^oul  I  poured  forth  my  Com- 
plaints, Cries  and  Tears  to  the  Judge  of  all  the 
i.ar':h,  who  fpoke  to   me  and  comforted  me  ia 
this  my  deplorable  Hate,  which  was  vvorfe  than 
Jacobs  when  lie  lay  upon  the  Ground,  and  had 
a  Stone  for  his  Pillow ;   he  had  his  near  Kindred 
to  go  to,   whom  he  might  expe(5l  would  receive 
him  gladly,  but  I  had  none   to  go  to  but   fuck 
as    rather    reviled    me,     and    gave    me    hard 
Language ;  but  the  Lord  faid  unto  me,  as  if  a 
Man  had  fpoke,  FirJ}  feek  the  Kingdom  of  Hea^ 
<ven  and  the  Right toufnefs   thereof^    and  all  tkcle 
Things  that  thoujlandejl  in  Need  ofjhall  he  given 
unto  thee.     \  then   deiired  he    would   pleaie  lo 

Ihew 


(      31       ) 

ihew  me  the  Place  I  ftiould  go  to ;  and  the 
Lord  opened  my  Way,  and  ihewed  me  the 
Houfe  I  fliould  go  to,  and  abide  in  for  a  Time. 
I  faid,  Good  is  the  IVord  of  the  Lord :  I  believed, 
and  it  was  a  great  Means  to  ftay  my  Mind, 
and  fettle  it  in  the  Truth,  with  full  purpofe  of 
Heart  to  follow  the  Lord,  and  obey  his  Re- 
qui rings,  according  to  the  Knowledge  and 
Ability  giveu  me  ;  yet  Reafonings  attended 
iTie  ;  two  Things  efpecially  ftood  much  in  my 
Way,  yea,  three  Things  were  a  Lett  to  me, 
for  foon  after  I  came  to  the  Friend's  Houfe  in 
South-Cliffy  viz.  M^illia??!  Allon  by  Name,  I 
bound  myfelf  to  him  to  learn  his  Trade  of  a 
Wewuer^  and  after  I  was  bound,  I  found  this 
good  Man  loved  me,  and  1  loved  him  to  the 
Day  of  his  Death ;  and  he  often  faid,  he  ivas 
blejfed  for  my  Sake^  and  all  that  appertained 
unto  him ;  for  when  I  w^ent  to  him  he  was 
very  poor,  but  he  increafed  very  confiderably 
after  I  went  to  live  with  him. 

I  come  now  to  the  Particulars  which  ftood 
in  my  Way  of  anfwering  the  Lord's  Commands 
fo  fully  as  fometimes  I  fliould  have  done;  Firfl^ 
a  violent  Humour  fell  into  one  of  my  Legs  foon 
after  I  was  bound  Apprentice,  which  I  wdth 
others  thought  was  much  occalioned'by  hard 
Ufage,  Heats  and  Colds,  and  many  Surfeits, 
even  from  my  Infancy ;  which  Lamenefs  held 
me  about  two  Years,  and  I  fuffered  much  by 
the  faid  Leg,  and  it  much  difcouraged  and 
difabicd  me.  The^ro;z^  Hinderance  was,  vnj 
h-w  Circwnjlances    in   the    V/orld^    w^hich    very 

few 


(  32  ) 

few  knew  of,  becaufe  the  common  Fame  waj^ 
(and  not  without  fome  Truth)  that  I  had  rich 
Parents.  I  have  given  an  Account  ah^eady 
how  they  were  circumflanced,  and  fo  I  leave 
them  at  prefent  and  proceed,  but  few  knew 
the  Straits  I  met  withal ;  yet  my  truly  religious 
Mafter,  if  he  underftood  any  Thing  was  upon 
my  Mind  to  go  to  vifit  any  Meeting,  or 
Meetings,  he  would  fay,  take  my  Mare  and  go 
thy  zvayy  and  be  not  uneafy^  neither  about  the 
Mare  nor  Bufinejs^  nor  do  not  hajien  thyjelf, 
Thefe  Kindneffes  made  me  often  thoughtful  how 
I  might  return  fuitable  Acknowledgments,  and 
be  duly  grateful  for  the  fame :  I  was  diligent 
in  my  Mailer's  Bufinefs,  not  ferving  him  with 
Eye-fervice,  but  faithfully  ;  believing  it  good 
and  acceptable  in  the  Sight  ot  Qod,  and  I  had 
great  Peace  in  it;  my  Mafter  never  found 
Fault  with  rne  for  doing  too  little,  but  ofter^ 
for  doing  too  niuch,  and  would  fometimes  fay, 
J  think  thou  nvilt  cleave  to  the  Beam;  come  off  and 
let  us  nvalk  into  the  Fields  and  fee  hoiv  Things  are 
there.  Now  as  to  the  third  Hinderance,  the 
Account  of  which  I  was  not  willing  to  have 
interwoven  with  Matters  of  lefs  Moment, 
although  -^lie  healing  of  my  very  fore  Leg  I 
attribute  to  the  great  and  good  Providence  of 
God ;  for  in  a  fliort  Time  after  I  gave  up  freely 
and  cheerfully  to  anfwer  the  Lord's  Requirings, 
the  Lord  healed  me  of  my  Lamenefs  ;  and  when 
I  cried  vuito  him,  that  he  would  alfo  Ileal  my 
Tongue  of  it  Stammering,  believing  that  the 
Lord  was  as  able  to  take  away  the  Impediment 


{       33       ) 

of  my  Tongue,  as  he  was  to,  (lop  the  Violence 
of  that  Humour  which  had  attended  my  Body, 
and  had  a  Recourfe  to  my  Leg,  and  made  it 
fore  from  above  the  Ancle  to  the  Knee  :  And 
notwithftanding  feveral  Men  had  given  their 
Advice,  and  had  iliewed  their  Skill,  it  all  proved 
inefFecSlual,  until!  came  to  believe  in  JefusChrift, 
and  to  prefs  through  all  to  him,  and  to  touch; 
the  Skirt,  or  lowed  Appearance  of  his  blelTed 
Truth  and  Power,  in  which  I  found  true  healing 
Virtue  to  my  Soul,  and  alfo  to  my  Body,  and 
to  my  Tongue,  even  to  my  Admiration ;  fo  that 
I  did  not  only  fpeak  plain  in  the  Teftimony  the 
Lord  gave  me  to  bear,  but  alfo  fpoke  plain  in 
my  common  Intercourfe  with  Men. 

I  was  like  wife  in  thefe  Days  under  the  Dif- 
penfations  of  Openings  and  Vifions,  and  thought 
inyfelf  as  it  were  upon  Mount-Pifgah^  and  faw 
into  the  holy  Land,  and  into  Things  relating 
to  God  and  his  heavenly  Kingdom,  and  into 
his  Work  and  Way  of  bringing  Man  out  of  the' 
Fall  and  Alienation  to  himfelf  again,  ^and  inta 
a  heavenly  State  in  Chrift,  as  Man  yields  true 
O  edience  unto  the  Leadings  and  Operation  of 
his  blefled  Grace  and  holy  Spirit  in, the  Heart. 
But  under  fucliDifpenfatlons  it  is  requifite,  yea, 
of  abfolute  Neceffity,  that  Man  be  brought  into 
true  Self-denial,  as  alfo  into  a  depending  Frame 
<yi  Mind,  and  true  Refignation  of  Will  to  the 
Will  of  God,  and  a  daily  fitting  as  in  the  Duftj' 
a^  to  the  Motions  and  Workings  of  the  Creature 
as  fuch ;  for  all  that  is  of  Man's  working, 
or  Work,   does  but  lett  ar  hinder  the  fpiritual 

Work 


(      34      ) 

Work  of  God  in  the  Heart ;  and  we  mnfh  catri^ 
truly  to  know  all  fleihiy  Motions,  and  the 
"Workings  in  Man's  own  Will  and  Spirit,  to  be 
filenced,  to  hear  the  Voice  of  God,  which  is  a 
ftill  final]  Voice,  and  not:  to  be  heard  in  the 
Noife  and  Hurries  of  the  World ;  neither  when 
the  Mind  is  bufied  with  Things  agreeable  to 
our  own  corrupt  Wills  and  depraved  Nature. 

But  although  at  times  I  had  clear  Sights  into 
many  heavenly  Things,  and  alfo  had  at  times 
comfortable  Enjoyments  of  the  living  Prefence 
of  God,  yet  I  wanted  to  be  more  eftablifhed  in 
-the  unchangeable  Truth,  which  I  had  at  times 
fome  comfortable  feeling  of;  and  in  crying  to 
the  Lord,  I  found  he  inclined  unto  me,  and,  as 
David  faid,  he  heard  my  Cries ^  and  pluckt  my 
Feet  out  of  the  Mire  and  Clay^  and  jet  them  upon 
a  Rock^  that  was  higher  than  I,  and  in  part 
ejlablifhed  my  Goings^  and  put  a  neiv  Song  into  my 
Mouthy  even  high  Praifes  unto  the  Lord  for  all 
his  tender  Mercies  to  me  in  thefe  trying  Times  ; 
and  now  being  more  crucified  to  the  World,  and 
the  Spirit  of  it^  I  witneffed  a  more  conftant  In- 
dwelling of  the  heavenly  Power  and  living  Pre- 
fence, Light  and  Grace ;  I  came  to  be  brought 
intoStilnefs,  audit  became  moft  agreeable  to  my 
Condition  to  keep  much  in  Silence,  and  wait  upon 
the  Lord  for  the  Renewing  of  Strength,  that 
thereby  I  might  furmount  all  Temptations  and 
Trials  that  might  fill  in  my  way,  or  which  I 
might  be  tried  with,  which  were  not  a  few. 

Now  thefe  Thin^rs,  before  recited,  are  worthy 
of  Commemoration,  and  proved  great  Confirm- 
ations 


/  i 


(       35      ) 

ations  to  me  in  the  Truth,  in  thefe  Days  of  my 
Tribulations  and  great  Trials  :  Read  and  believe 
thou  that  canft,  for  they  are  faithful  and  true 
Sayings.  After  the  Lord  had  healed  me,  he 
fent  me  forth  in  the  Work  of  the  Miniftry,  and 
the  firft  Journey  I  took  Southward  was  into 
Lincolnjhire^  Not  ting  hamjhire^  and  through  Co- 
%jentry^  and  fo  to  Warivick  to  fee  William  Deujf- 
berry.  One  Thing  is  remarkable  upon  William  s 
Enquiry  ivhat  Way  I  came  ?  In  my  Account 
of  the  particular  Towns  and  places  I  had  paffed 
through,  I  mentioned  Coventry^  which  was  the 
laft  and  the  worft  ;  for  fome  of  the  rude  People 
flung  Stones  at  me,  as  I  was  fpeaking  in  the 
Meeting,  with  great  Violence,  fo  that  had  the 
Lord  fuffered  them  to  have  hit  me,  they  muft 
have  fpoiled  me:  but  my  Faith  in  the  Lord, 
and  the  Strength  of  the  Truth,  bore  up  my 
Mind  above  Fear  of  the  outward  Man,  or  what 
wicked  Men  could  do  to  me.  After  William  had 
heard  my  Account,  he  fixed  his  Eyes  on  me 
and  faid.  Thou  miijl  go  back  again  to  Coventry.  I 
appeared  unwilling,  for  two  Reafons  ;  fr/l^ 
becaufe  I  thought  I  had  cleared  myfelf  of  that 
People.  Secondly^  I  thought  it  not  fafe  to  run 
myfelf  into  Danger  of  Suffering,  unlefs  I  was 
fatisfied  the  Lord  required  it  of  me.  But  Wil-- 
Ham  was  pofitive,  and  faid  /  miiji  go,  Jor  there 
ivas  a  Service  for  me  to  do  there.  Upon  a  deli- 
berate Confideration  of  the  Matter,  and  a  feek- 
ing  to  the  Lord  to  know  his  Will  in  it,  I  found 
my  way  clear  to  go,  and  I  had  fome  Service 
and  good  Satisfa^ftion,  and  left  Friends  Uwarer 
^  F  to 


(       36      ) 

to  one  another  than  when  I  fir  ft  met  with 
them ;  for  there  had  been  a  Mifunderftanciing 
amongft  fome  Friends  in  that  City :  So  I  came 
from  thence  to  Tamivorthy  where  there  was  a 
Diiierence,  efpecially  betwixt  two  Friends  ; 
both  of  them  had  been  fuch  as  had  made  fome 
confiderable  Figure  among  Friends :  I  felt  it 
upon  me  to  go  to  the  Man,  to  warn  him  of  the 
Spirit  of  Prejudice  and  Envy,  for  if  he  gave 
Way  to  it,  it  would  eat  out  his  Love  to  Friends 
and  Truth,  and  he  would  decline  Meetings, 
and  come  to  nought,  and  turn  his  Back  on  the 
Truth ;  which  came  to  be  fulfilled,  as  I  after- 
w^ards  heard ;  for  he  became  a  loofe  Man,  and 
lifted  himfelf  to  be  a  Soldier.  I  v/as  zealovis 
for  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  and  had  a  great 
Concern  upon  my  Mind  for  the  Promulgation 
of  the  Truth,  and  where  I  met  with  loofe  Pro- 
felTors  of  the  Truth,  it  was  a  great  Exercife  to 
me. 

When  I  returned  home  from  this,  and  indeed 
froiTi  all  my  Journeys,  I  took  Care  what  I  well 
could,  fo  far  as  my  weak  Body  was  capable,  to 
fall  into  Bufinefs,  and  not  to  loiter  away  my 
Time,  neither  abroad  nor  at  home.  My  weak 
Conftitution  would  not  well  bear  the  Weaving- 
trade^  therefore  I  left  it  much  againft  my  Will  ;. 
bat  I  wrought  upon  Clock  and  Watch-work, 
and  many  other  Things,  which  iupplied  my 
pTeceflities,  the  Lord  allowing  me  as  much 
Time  at  hom.e  as  put  me  in  a  Condition  rea- 
fenably  fit  for  Travel,  and  then  I  was  inclined 
to  go  to   vifit  Friends.     Many  Things  I   omit, 

.;^  becaufe 


i       37       ) 

becaufe  I  am  not  willing  to  fwell  my  Accounc 
too  much.  I  travelled  through  moft  Parts  of 
JEnglmid  four  Tiraes,  and  ^ twice  through  moft 
Parts  of  Waks^  between  the  twentieth  and 
twenty- eighth  Year  of  rny  Age. 

After  the  Lord  had  opened  my  Heart,  and  I 
came  in  part  to  underftand  the  holy  Scriptures, 
.and  to  have  a  Feeling  of  that  holy  Spirit  in  which 
the  hqly  Penm-an  wrote  them,  and  a  Sympathy 
with  the  Spirits  and  Exercifes  of  the  Righteous 
therein  mentioned,  I  took  great  Delight  in 
reading  them,  and  having  a  good  Memory, 
could  thereby  the  better  deal  with  Priefts,  and 
with  ProfefTors.  I  had  rr^any  Difputes  and  Rea- 
fonings  with  Priefts  and  Profeffors,  of  feveral 
Denominations,  both  in  Yorkjljirc  and  other 
Parts  in  my  Travels,  fo  that  through  thefe  Dif-^ 
putes,  and  much  Reading,  my  Mind  was  rather 
too  much  in  the  Letter^  and  not  altogether  fo 
much  in  Spirit^  and  in  Power ^  as  itlhould  have 
been  5  for  which  I  met  with  a  gentle  Caution 
from  the  Lord,  which  was  thus  :  I  heard  a 
Voice  (from  the  Lord)  as  plain  as  if  one  had 
fpoke  to  my  outward  Ear,  The  Fowh  of  the  Air 
lodge  in  the  Branches.  This  being  repeated  to 
me,  I  befought  the  Lord  to  fliew  me  what  was 
the  Meaning  of  that  Voice  which  I  heard  ;  and 
the  Lord,  tKe  mighty  God,  fliewed  me  in  his 
condefcending  Love,  that  the  Scriptures^  even 
all  of  them  which  were  written  as  the  holy 
Men  were  moved  of  the  holy  Ghoft,  fpruftg 
from  the  living  Root ;  yet  thofe  who  refted  only 
In  the  Letter^    and  came  not  to  be  acq^uainted 

with^ 


(       38      ) 

With,    and  live  in,  and  minifter  from  the  fame 
holy    Spirit^  are   outward,    dead,  dry,  airy  and 
foolifh.  This  gentle  Check  was  of  great  Service 
to  me  ;    not  fo  as   to  make  me  decline  reading 
the  Scriptures,  but  that  I  fhould  not  have  over- 
much  Dependency   on   them ;   and  to  caution 
me  againfl  the  Negle6t  of  waiting  for  the  Help 
of    the  holy   Spirit,  the   Root    and  pure  Spring 
of  the  right  and  living  Miniftry  which  reaches 
the  Heart,  and  carries   the  true  Evidence  with, 
it  to  the  Believers,  that  it  is  oj  God  ;  which  that 
of  the  Letter  cannot  do  of  it  1  elf.     I  tenderly 
defire  that  all  concerned  in  this  great  Work  of 
the  Miniftry,  may  not  be  Minifters  of  the  Letter 
enly^  but  of  the  Spirit  alfo,  and   may    ipeak  in 
the  Demonftration   of  the  Spirit  and  ot  Power. 
And  kt  him  that  Ipeaketh^  jpeak  as  the  Orach  of 
Cod^    and   he    that    miniflreth^    do  it  as  of  the 
Ability    that  God  giveth.     This  is   the  laft  and, 
larting    Miniftry,    which  is   after  the  Order  of 
Mc/chijedecky    and  not  after  the  Order  of  Aarofi^ 
but   in  Jefus    Chrift  the  High-Prieft,    the  one 
Offering,  which  makes  perfe^  for  ever  all  who 
come    to   him  through    the    Drawings   of  the 
Faiher ;    he  is  the  one  Lord,    and  there   is  but 
one  true  Faith  in    him,    and  but   one  true  and 
Javing  Baptifm   into  him,    or   into  the  Likeneis 
ot  his  Death  ;   fo  as  Chrijl  died  for  Sin,  we  may 
trulv  die  to  Sin ;  and  as  he  nims  raijed  by   the 
Glory  of  the  Father,   fo  we  may  walk  in  Neuu^ 
Tiej^   ot  Life  \    the  heavenly   High-Prieft,  holy, 
harmlefs,    feparate   from   Sinners  ;    and  fuch  a 
High-Prieft  who  was  tempted,  and  knows  how 

to 


(       39       ) 

to  fuccour  fuch  as  are  tempted ;  he  is  tlii?  Jd^ 
vacate  with  the  Father,  tiie  Propitiation  for  the 
Sins  of  all,  the  true  Guide  and  Comforter^  the 
Leader  of  them  into  all  Truth  who  obey  and 
follow  him  ;  although  to  the  World  a  Repro'ver 
and  Tijwtjt  Witnefs  againft  all  Ungodlinefs  and 
Unrighteoufnefs  of  Men. 

My  writing  thus,  from  this  gentle  Check, 
concernmg  the  Fowls  and  the  Branches^  &c.  is 
not  with  the  leaft  Intention  either  to  leifen  the 
holy  S:riptures,  or  difcourage  any  from  read- 
ing them  ;  for  I  would  have  all  true  Chriftians 
encouraged  to  be  more  converfant  in  them  ; 
yet  with  this  Advice,  kind  Readery  from  thy 
Well-wlfher  and  true  Friend,  to  breath  to,  and 
truly  feek  after  the  Lord  for  a  Meafure  of  his 
holy  and  bleffed  Spirit,  the  only  Key  and  beft 
Expofitor  to  open  and  truly  expound  them  to 
thee,  as  by  the  fame  holy  Spirit  thy  Mind 
and  Underftanding  comes  to  be  fitted  and  en- 
lightened ;  and  indeed  the  whole  Veffel  muft 
be  brought  into  a  Preparation  to  hold  the  hea- 
venly Treafure,  and  not  to  mix  the  pure  with 
the  corrupt  and  impure :  For  without  this  en- 
lightning,  preparing,  opening,  and  fandlifyii  g 
Gift  of  God's  holy  Grace  and  Spirit,  Man  can 
neither  know  the  heavenly  Power  of  God,  nor 
yet  the  holy  Scriptures  aright,  as  he  ought  to 
know  them;  and  for  this  reafon  it  hath  feemed 
good  to  God  to  hide  thefe  Things  from  the 
Learned,  Wife  and  Prudent  of  this  World,  that 
they  fliould  not  pry  into,  nor  find  out  the 
Mylleries   contained   therein,    unlefs   they  are 

fandtified, 


(       40       ) 

fanc^tified,  and  called  of  God  thereto  ;  and  as  no 
Man  knows  the  Thing sM  a  Man^  fave  the  Spirit 
of  a  Man  that  is  in  h^ ;  likewife  the  Things 
of  God  are  not  perceivable  by  Man,  without 
the  Help  of  the  holy  Spirit  of  God  in  Man. 

Thus  the  Lord  opened  to  me  the  true  Mean- 
ing of  the  Parable  of  the  Miiflard-feed  in  this 
the  Time  of  my  Infancy  as  to  the  Miniftry, 
with  which  he  fent  me  forth  into  the  World, 
that  my  Faith  might  (land  in  the  Lord  alone, 
the  Author  and  Finiflier,  as  well  as  Giver  of  the 
true  and  faving  Taith,  even  that  Faith  ivhick 
works  by  Love^  and  gives  ViBoij  over  the  Woi  Id ; 
it  was  by  and  through  the  Power,  Virtue  and 
EiEcacy  of  true  Faith,  vuhich  is  the  Gift  of  God ^ 
that  the  Ekiers  in  former  Ages  obtained,  and 
now  do  obtain  a  good  Report ;  it  was  in  and 
through  this  Gift,  that  worthy  Abel  with  his 
Offering  was  accepted  of^God,  although  he  was 
envied  of  his  earthly  and  evil  Minded  Broths 
Cain^  and  alfo  by  him  flain.  The  ever  memo- 
rable Enoch^  through  the  Virtue  of  this  holy 
Gift,  v/alked  with  God,  as  himfelf  gave  witpefs 
that  Enoch  pleafed  him  ;  he  walked  fo  in  J^ith 
and  Obedience  even  to  the  End,  that  he  died 
not  as  Men  in  common  do,  but  was  tranflated, 
or  changed  in  a  peculiar  manner.  Come, 
read  thou  that  canft,  and  underftand^thou  that 
art  redeemed  out  of  (and  haft  overcome)  the 
Flefh,  and  the  Powers  of  the  firft  Nature,  the 
World  and  the  Devil,  in  a  great  meafure,  for 
thou  knoweft  that  it  is  by  the  Operation  of 
this  Gift  that  the  Dead  in  old  Adam  are  raifed 


(      41      ) 

to  a  new  Life,  and  Way  of  living  in  the  new 
Man ;  and  through  this  heavenly  Ada7n^  that  is 
known  to  thefe  to  be  a  qnickning  8pirit,  agree- 
able to  holy  Writ.     Through  Faith  the  Violence 
of  Fire  was  quenched,  the  Mouths  of  Lions  have^ 
been  flopped,  the  Sword  turned  backwaM,  the 
Armies  put  to  flight,  even  fuch  as  were  AHens 
or  Strangers  who  outwardly  fought  againfl:  the 
Lord's  People  ;  which  fets    before  us,    as    in  a 
Glafs,  how  and  what  we  are  to  overcome  in  this 
Gofpel-day,  in  which  we  are  not  to  fight  with 
Men,  but  with  ourLufts,  and  overcome  Sin  and 
Satan  ;  whi^h   is  as  great  a  Vidlory   as  he  gb- 
tained  that  overcame  the  rampant  Lions,  wha 
had  Dominion  over  the  Wicked,  as  Sin  and  Satan 
have  Poweriand  Dominion  over  the  Wicked  and 
Ungodly  to  this  Day.    ^Confider  now  in   Time 
thou  "that  readetl   thefe  Lines,  *  whether  Chriil 
or   Antichrift   doth  moft  predominate  in  thee  ? 
Whether  Grace    or   Sin    njofc    abound  in    thv 
mortal    Body  ?    Whether  the  Spirit  of  Truth^ 
that  leads  into  all  Truth,  or  the  Spirit  of  Error, 
that  leads   into  all  Error  and  Untruth,  is  the 
moft  prevalent,  and  hath   the  greatefl  Place  in 
thy   Heart  ?    For   to   him    whom  thou  art  the 
moft  fubjedl,  and  yields  thy  Members  Servants 
to,  his  Servant  thou  art,  and  to  him  thou  giveft 
way  and  fubjecls  thyfelf,  and  his  Servant  thou 
wilt  altogether  come  to  be   in  time,    and   the 
Wages'  due  to  his  Servants  thou  flialt  have  given 
to  thee  at   the  End   of  thy    Work:  Therefore 
confider  in  due  time,    while  the   Day    of  thy 
Vifitation  is  continued  unto  thee,  and  the  Lord 

is 


(      4^      ) 

is  following  and  calling  by  his  fecrdt  and  inward 
Checks  and  Reproof,  by  which  he  difquiets 
thy  Mindj  that  although  thou  mayft  take  fome 
Pleafure  in  Vanity  and  wrong  Ways,  when 
tliou  canft  gee  over  the  juft  Witnefs  of  God  in 
thy  own  Soul,  yet  while  it  ftrives  with  thee  to 
convert  and  gather  thee  up  out  of  earthly  and 
fading  Fleafures,  to  have  thy  Mind  fet  upon 
heavenly  Things,  and  take  Pleafure  in  them, 
thou  wilt  have  no  folid  Comfort  in  all  thy 
lower  Enjoyments,  but  Condemnation  and  An- 
guifhof  Soul  will  attend  thee,  until  thou  either 
gets  over  the  Witnefs,  or  leaves  the  Evil,  is  the 
Experience  of  the  Lord's  People,  who  have 
been  acquainted  with  the  true  and  inward  War- 
fare, and  alfo  with  the  Saints  Vidory.  Read, 
and  learn  to  follow  Chrift  by  the  Footjiep^  of  the 
Flocks  of  his  Companions  ;  altho'  it  be  through 
great  Tribulations,  yet  it  is  the  way  to  have 
thy  Garments  ivafhed  and  made  ivhite  in  the 
myftical  Blood  of  the  immaculate  Lamb  of  God  : 
This  is  he^  as  John  the*  Baptifl  faid,  that  taketh 
aivay  the  Sins  of  the  World,  Happy  is  every  one 
that  truly  putteth  on  his  Lamb- like  Nature,  his 
Humility,  Righteoufnefs  and  Purity,  and  is 
covered  with  his  holy  Spirit,  and  lives  and 
walks  in  and  under  the  Influence  and  Condudl 
thereof  to  the  End  of  Time  here,  until  we 
enter  into  Immutability. 

Now  to  return  from  this  Digreflion  to  the 
hillorical  Part.  When  1  had  travelled  much  of 
the  Time  between  my  going  forth,  which  was 
from  about  the  nineteentii  Year  of  my  Age  unto 

about 


(      43      ) 

about  the  twenty  feventh,  then  finding  fome 
little  Refpite  from  the  Weight  ot  that  Service, 
I  inchned  to  fettle  a  Httle  clofer  to  Bufiribfs,  hat 
had  httle  to  begin  any  Calling  with^  being 
neceffitated  to  leave  my  Trade  of  Wea^h^^ 
through  Lamenefs^  as  before  mentioned;  and 
I  had  •  been  a  Sojourner  fome  time  at  Whitby^ 
Scarborough^  and  Bridlington;  but  upon  feeking 
unto  the  Lord  to  know  wiiat  Piace  I  might 
now  fettle  in,  though  my  great  Inclination  was 
for  Whitby^  yet  it  Ibunded  as  in  my  Ear,  Brid-^ 
lingtofiy  Bridlington  is  the  Place  to  jcttk  in\  and 
in  the  Crofs  I  repaired  thither,  and  lettled  for 
fome  time,  keeping  a  httle  Shop,  and  mended 
Clocks  and  Watches,  as  I  had  done  for  feveral 
Years  paft  at  times;  it  was  of  good  Service 
my  fettling  there,  for'tlie  Lord  began  to  w^rk 
tn  g^itily,  efpecially  amongil:  the  \oung  Frie  kIs, 
fo  that  in  a  few  Years  many  had  their  Moviths 
opened  in  Teitimony  for  the  Loid,  and  a  tine 
Spring  of  heavenly  Mniirtry  was  in  that  Mooch* 
ly-meeting,  the  like  I  have  not  known  in  tac 
like  Bounds,,  (for  it  is  but  a  fmali  Monthly- 
meeting)  and  hath  been  fo  ever  fiace  I  knew  it 
For  Truth  did  fo  m!8;htily  profjer,  and  Friends 
grew  fo  in  the  M ai»ftry,  that  it  became  a 
Proverb,  that  Bridlington  w.u  become  a  School 
of  Prophets,  This  mighty  Work  of  the  Lord 
in  thefe  Days,  is  wortay  to  be  chronicled  and 
remembered  among  his  many  worthy  and  io'>  e 
Acfls;  we  had  many  heavenly  and  good  Meec- 
ings,  praifed  and  renowned  be  the  worthy  Name 
of  the  Lord,  aov/  and  for  ever. 

G        ■  We 


(      44      ) 

We  had  but  little  Difcipline  when  I  firft  fet- 
tled in  that  Place,  but  afterwards  many  Friends 
Hearts  were  ftirred  up  in  a  holy  Zeal  for  the' 
Lord,  not  only  to  promote  Meetings  for  Wor-^ 
fliip,  but  alfo  for  good  Difcipline  in  the  Churchj 
and  they  began  to  fee  a  Neceffity  of  coihing  up 
more  in  the  Pra6lice  of  this  very  needful  Work ; 
although  there  were  fome  that  faid,  they  could 
fee  no  Need  of  Jiich  clofe  Order  and  Dijcipline : 
Yet  I  found  it  to  be  my  Way  in  the  Truth  to 
bear  with  fuch,  if  they  were  not  irregular  in 
their  Converfations ;  but  if  they  were  diforder- 
ly,  we  dealt  with  them  as  the  Lord  opened  our 
Way  in  the  Wifdom  of  Truth ;  and  thus  bear- 
ing with  the  Eaftnefs  of  fome  on  the  one  hand, 
and  encouraging  the  faithful  and  zealous  oti 
the  other,  until  way  was  made,  beyond  my 
Expectation,  for  the  Spreading  of  the  Truth,  its 
Teftimony,  and  the  Difcipline  thereof  in  thofe 
Parts. 

I  had  now  travelled  and  laboured  much  in 
the  Lord's  Work  at  home  and  abroad  for  about 
ten  Years,  but  had  not  in  all  that  Time  found 
my  way  clear  to  inaj^ry^  although  not  without 
fome  likely  Opportunity,  and  with  fuch  as  were 
a  great  deal  richer  than  ftie  was  whom  I  did 
marry ;  but  I  was  afraid  in  this  weighty  Affair 
to  mifs  my  Way,  knowing  the  great  Difference 
there  is  between  them  who  only  profefs,  and 
they  who  poflefs'the  Truth,  and  them  that  are 
only  in  the  firft  Nature  and  unregenerated  State, 
(and  ftrictly  fpeaking,  but  the  Sons  and  Daughters 
of  Men)  and  fuch  who  are  born  again,  not  of 

riefli 


{      45      ) 

Flefli  and  Blood,  nor  indeed  of  any  tiling  that 
is  corruptible,  but  of  that  incorruptible  Seed  and 
living  Word  of  God  which  leads  into  a  lively 
Hope,  and  brings  forth  a  new  and  heavenly 
Birth  in  Man,  that  takes  delight  to  pleafe  and 
obey  the  Lord  in  all  Things,  and  fo  become 
SofiSy  or  Children  of  God^  in  a  more  fpiritual 
and  nearer  Relation  than  that  of  Creacion  only; 
it  is  in  and  through  this  great  Work  of  Reno- 
vation, and  being  born  again:  And,  as  fuch 
as  live  up  to  that  holy  Seed  and  regene- 
rating Principle,  and  as  the  fame  doth  pre-- 
dominate  and  rule  in  Man,  in  this  State  Man 
cannot  ftn^  as  the  Apoftle  faid,  with  this  Rea- 
foQ  annexed,  becaufe  his  Seed  (to  ivit^  the  Seed 
of  God)  remaineth  in  him:  Thus  walking  in 
the  Light,  and  living  in  the  Seed,  Grace  and 
holy  Spirit,  although  the  Terras  of  it  differ,  the 
Virtue  and  Nature  of  it  are  undividable;  fuch 
who  come  to  be  gathered  to  walk  with,  and 
truly  love  Chrift  the  Bridegroom  of  the  Soul, 
are  brought  into  a  greater  Nearnefs,  truer  Sym- 
pathy and  Unity  of  Spirit  than  the  World 
knows  of.  Read  this,  you  that  are  born  again, 
and  duly  conlider  it  in  its  proper  Time  and 
Place.  I  believe,  and  therefore  truly  fpeak  it, 
the  Lord  gave  me  fuch  a  Wife  as  really  feared 
him,  loved  Truth  and  Righteoufnefs,  and  all 
fuch  as  fhe  thought  laved,  and  efpecially  fuch 
as  lived  in  the  Truth ;  her  Name  was  Prifcillu 
Gannaby^  Daughter  of  James  Cannaby ;  fhe  was 
defcended  of  an  honeft  Family  in  the  Eaft  Part 
of  Torkpnre^    the  only  Child  her  Parents  left, 

they 


(      46      ) 

they  were  Bakers  by  Trade,  and  gave  her  a 
commendable  Education,  though  they  did  not 
leave  her  any  great  Portion ;  ihe  was  under  the 
Care  of  her  Uncle  Charks  Canyiaby  of  Bridling^ 
ton,  an  houelt  Friend,  who  left  ibmething  be- 
hind him  in  Manufcrlpt  concerning  his  Con- 
vincement  of  the  Truth,  and  Sufferings  for  the 
fame;  he  was  convinced  early,  lived  to  a  great 
Ag",  and  was  a  Man  oi  great  Service  in  thole 
PcUts  where  we  lived. 

I  was  in  the  twenty  eighth  Year  of  m.v  Age 
w^hen  1  married  my  \Vite,  who  was  a  Womaa 
of  an  excellent  Temper,   very  aifedionate,  fobep 
and  prudent,  loved  Uetirement  much,  and  wait* 
ing  upon  the  Lord,  and  the  Enjovment  of  lis 
internal  and  living  Prelence,  and  efptcially  with 
the  Lord  s  People,  that  ^hey  might  alio  be  made 
Partakers  with  her  or  the  like  Ipecial  favours; 
this  was  as  her  Crown  and  Kingdom  while   in 
this  World,  even  from  her  Childhood;    and   to 
fee  Friends  proi'per  in  tlie   I  ruth  was  Matter  of 
great   Rejoicing   to  her.      When  we  had  been 
married  ibarce  thiee  Years,  the  Lord  raifed  her 
tip  to  bear  a  public  Teftimony  amongft  Friends 
in  their  Meetings,  which  was  very  comfortable 
and  acceptable  to  them;    and  alfb  fhe  had   the 
Spirit  of  Grace  and  Supplication,   meafurably 
poured  upon  her,    fo   that   many   with  me  did 
believe  flie  had  Accefs  to  the  Throne  of  God^  and 
to  that  Ri'ver  in: hub  maketh  truly  glad  the  City  of 
God:    She  always  freely  gave  me  up  to  anlwer 
the  tService  1  believed  the  Lord  called  for  of  me. 
She   was  taken  from  me  wnen  we  had   bttn 

married 


(      47      ) 

married  but  about  five  Years,  in  the  twenty 
eighth  Year  of  her  Age,  and  died  in  a  fweet 
Frame  of  Mind,  and  was  fenfible  to  the  laft, 
and  her  lad  Words  were,  He  is  come^  he  is  come^ 
whom  my  Soul  loves^  and  my  Soul  rejoices  in  God 
my  Sa'uwur^  and  my  Spirit  magnijies  him;  and 
lb  paifed  away  like  a  Lamb,  1  believe  into  a 
Manfion  of  Glory,  where  her  innocent  Soul 
will  for  ever  fing  Hallelujah  to  the  Lord  God 
and  the  Lamb,  who  is  worthy  of  Glory,  Honour, 
Salvation  and  Strength,  now  and  for  ever. 

I  might  enlarge  much  upon  the  Virtue  and 
Worthinefs  of  faithful  Prijcilla^  but  in  this,  as 
in  other  Matters,  it  is  my  Defire  to  avoid  Pro- 
lixity, yet  would  take  Notice  of  the  moft  re- 
markable Occurrences  that  have  happened  to 
me  in  the  Courfe  of  this  my  earthly  Pilgr^  / 
mage;  alfo,  I  have  been  much  prefled  by  fom(^ 
and  not  of  the  leaft  of  my  faithful  Brethrerrp 
likevvife,  I  believed  it  to  be  my  Duty,  to  lea'^e 
fome  Remains  to  Pofterity  for  their  Encou- 
ragement and  Comfort  in  the  Way  and  Work 
of  the  Lord.  One  Thing  is  w^orthy  here  t(^be 
inferted,  which  had  a  ftrange  and  aftonillil>7g 
Effecfl  upon  my  Mind,  which  was  thus: 

As  I  was  walking  in  a  plain  Field  in  the  fore^-^ 
Part  of  the  Day,  not  far  from  the  Sea,  betwixt 
Bridlington  and  liroynton^  my  Soul  was  in  a  deep 
Concern,  and  at  that  Time  exercifed  in  Medi- 
tation on  the  Things  of  God,  and  alfo  in  fervent 
Prayers  to  him  for  Prefervation  from  every  hurt- 
ful Thing;  and  a  heavenly  Frame  my  Mind- 
W4|  then  brought  into,  for  then  I  neither  faw 

Cloud 


(      48      ) 

iCIoud  over  my  Mind,  nor  yet  any  in  the  Fir^- 
niament,  for  it  appeared  to  me  a  Mornhig 
uuithout  Clouds;  tho'  I  had  pafTed  under  many 
Clouds.  Soon  after  my  Mind  was  brought  into 
this  heavenly  Frame,  and  as  it  were  fwallowed 
up  in  the  heavenly  aijd  internal  Prefence  of  the 
Lord,  I  thought  a  bright  Cloud  came  down 
and  covered  me,  or  caught  me  up  into  it ;  fo 
whether  I  was  {landing,  walking,  or  fet  upon 
the  Ground,  or  carried  vip  into  the  Cloud  in 
the  Body,  or  out  of  the  Body,  I  know  not  to 
this  Day;  yet  Fear  and  Reverence,  with  bow- 
ing .of  Soul,  did  poffefs  me  before  the  great 
Majefty;  at  the  Glory  of  whofe  Countenance, 
a^  I  had  it  in  a  preceding  Vifion,  Men  and 
ng^Js  fled    and    gave    way,     and    could    not 

iedfaftly   behold  the   Erightnefs  and  Glory  of 
e   Countenance   of   the  Son    of  the  HIgheft, 

7ith  the  mighty  God  and  Father,  which  are 
oi\eSn  Power,  Greatnefs,  Goodnefs,  and  Glory, 
wKP  "^^^'2,5  before  all  Things^  made  all  Things^  and 
uphfyld  and  fill  all  Things  that  are  good,  with 
thtt  which  is  truly  good,  or  at  leail  is  for  a 
^(^od  End.  Read  this  Myflery  thou  that  canft, 
tnd  learn  to  fear  him  that  hath  Power  over  both 
Soul  and  Body^  to  kill  and  to  cajl  into  Hell^  for 
one  Time  or  another  he  will  make  thee  fear 
him,  when  he  brings  thy  Sins  to  Judgment, 
whether  it  be  now  or  hereafter:  The  Time  hath 
been,  is,  or  will  be,  in  which  the  Lord,  the 
Judge  of  both  Quick  and  Dead,  hath,  doth,  or 
will  plead  with  thee,  and  all  Flelh,  as  in  the 
Valley  of  Jehofaphat ;  therefore  beware  left  thou 

make 


(       49       ) 

make  him  wroth,  as  he  was  upon  Mount  Peri--' 
ziniy  but  be  thou  fubjecSl  to  the  Lord,  as  faithful 
Mofes  was  upon  Mount  Horeb^  or  the  Mount  of 
God^  when  he  obeyed  his  Voice,  and  put  off  his 
Shoes ;  do  thou  obey,  if  it  be  to  th€  putting 
away  of  the  Glory  and  Wifdom  of  Egypt^  or 
Learnings  or  what  elfe  is  required  of  thee :  Oh 
then  thou,  art  in  the  way  to  further  Service, 
and  wilt  be  enabled,  as  thou  continues  faithful, 
to  go  through  all  to  God's  Glory,  and  thy  un- 
fpeakable  Peace  in  the  End, 

Now  as  to  the  laft  Part  of  the  Rapture  or 
Vifion,  when  I  was  fwallowed  up  in  the  lumi'^ 
nous  Prefence  of  him  that  is  Jirji  and  laji^  the 
Alpha  and  Omega^  I  heard  a  Voice,  very  intel- 
ligible to  that  Senfation  I  had  then  given  me, 
faying,  Dojl  thou  fee  how  Pride  and  Wickednefs 
abound  in  the  Nation?  I  anfwered  in  much 
Fear,  Lord^  I  do  fee  it:  The  next  Words  which 
I  heard  in  the  Voice  and  in  the  Cloud  were. 
The  People  are  too  ntany^  I  will  thin  thern^  I  ivill 
thin  them^  I  will  thin  them.  I  defired  of  the 
Lord  to  Ihew  me,  whether  it  was  his  Mind  I 
fhould  publifh  this  in  any  Part  of  the  Nation  ? 
The  South  was  fet  before  me,  with  this  Caution, 
Where  this  is  opened  to  thee  in  my  Power ^  there 
fpeak  of  it^  and-  not  otherwfe^  I  gave  up  to 
anfwer  the  heavenly  Vilion,  and  viiited  moll 
Parts  of  the  fouthern  Counties,  as  alfo  the 
northern  Parts,  and  Scotland-,  and  where  the 
3rd  opened  my  Mouth  to  fpeak  of  what  I  had 
V^rd,  as  before,  by  way  of  Prophecy,  I  gave 
My  but  did  not  fo  much  infill  upon  that  Matter, 

as 


(      so      ) 

as  to  fuffer  it  to  be  a  means  to  miflead  me  ifcrnl 
that  Work  of  the  M^nillry  I  was  chiefly  con- 
cerned in.  I  would  that  all,  who  are  concerned 
in  the  like  manner,  may  be  cautious  in  this 
great  Affair,  and  look  well  to  the  Rife  and  Ori- 
ginal from  whence  they  receive -this  Gift,  and 
how ;  and  alfo  what  Frame  of  Mind  they  are  in, 
and  that  nothing  of  the  Warmth  of  their  own 
Spirits  be  fet  to  work  or  ftirred  up,  either  by 
Sight  of  the  Eye,  or  hearing,  or  reading  out- 
wardly, but  that  the  Mind  may  be  redeemed 
from  all  Workings,  from  thefe  and  the  like 
Grounds,  and  purely  purged,  and  truly  adapted 
or  fitted  to  receive  this  Gift  or  Spirit  of  Pro- 
phecy ;  and  alfo  be  fure  to  be  very  careful  to 
be  guidable  in  the  Gift,  or  othetwife  thou  mayft 
mifs,  as  to  Tifne  and  Place^  &c.  I  intend  not 
to  dwell  long  upon  it,  as  there  are  other  Services 
included  in  this  of  Prophecy,  as  Edification  and 
Comfort^  &c.  but  what  I  have  been  upon,  relates 
to  foretelling  Jomething  that  is  to  come  \  and,  as 
once  a  w^orthy  Elder  faid  to  me  when  I  was 
young  in  the  Minlllry,  //  is  a  great  Thing  to 
knoiv  ivhat^  ivhere  and  ivhen;  and  I  have  ever 
found  it  true  to  this  Day.  Learn  of  him  that 
is  (as  he  always  was)  meek  and  low  of  Heart, 
and  be  not  difcouraged,  but  perfevere  in  Faith 
and  Sincerity,  and  look  not  overmuch  at  the 
Difficulty,  but  look  over  all  to  him  who  hath 
called  thee,  and  in  fome  mealure  revealed  his 
Son  through  the  Spirit  in  thee:  Although'' 
know  from  fome  Experience,  what  it  i^  tc.^ 
exercifed  in  the  matter  of  Prophecy,  for  ii""^  -^ 

JouL. 


(      5^      ) 

Jonrney  touched  of  before,  I  was  concerned  to 
tell  Friends  at  Kilmouck  in  Scotland  efpecially, 
that  the  Lord  ivould  take  many  of  them  anjoay ; 
which  in  a  Ihort  time  came  to  pafs,  for  many- 
died  before  that  time  Twelve-month,  it  being 
a  time  of  fcarcity  of  Corn;  and  it  was  thought 
many  died  for  Want  of  Bread,  the  Year  enfu- 
ing  my  being  there :  I  had  gox)d  Service  for  the 
Lord,  and  great  Sitisfadlion  in  thefe  my  long 
Travels,  as  I  had  in  the  like  before,  in  divers 
of  which  there  were  fome  convinced  of  Trath. 
At  Cromer  ill  Norfolk^  one  Elizabeth  Horry^ 
when  my  Mouth  was  opened,  defpifed  my 
Youth,  as  file  confeffed  afterwards;  but  what 
I  had  to  fay  fo  reached  her  Condition,  that 
Ihe  fhed  many  Tears  upon  her  fine  Silks,  and 
confeffed,  before  the  ^  eeting  broke  up,  that 
aH  might  hear,  in  thefe  Words,  All  that  ever 
I  have  done  hath  been  told  me  this  Day^  and 
this  is  the  everlafting  Truth,  And  as  I  pafled 
along  from  that  Meeting,  not  far  from  Cromer^ 
with  fome  other  Friends,  it  rofe  in  my  Heart 
to  fay  aloud,  that  a  Man  who  was  watering 
his  Horfe  might  hear,  looking,  and  pointing 
my  Hand  towards  him.  That  Man  iinll  be  a 
Friend  before  he  dies;  and,  as  he  owned  after, 
he  was  fo  ftruck  with  it,  that  he  had  no  Rett 
till  he  came  among  Friends,  though  he  wis 
then  afar  off,  but  he  came  to  be  a  ferviceable 
Man  among  us,  and  his  Wife  was  alfo  convin- 
ced of  the  Truth,  and  was  a  ferviceable 
Woman.  Samuel  Hunt  of  Nottingham^  was 
fi*ft  reached  at  Lcicejter  by  the  Teltimony  I 
.    V  H  had 


(      52      ) 

had  given  me  to  bear  in  that  Meeting  at  that 
Time,  as  he  acknowledged  afterwards;  but  I 
always  gave  God  the  Glory,  and  laid  the 
Creature  as  in  the  Duft,  that  Man,  as  M^n, 
might  not  be  too  much  accounted  of.  >^ 

After  my  being  caught  up,  and  hearing  the 
Voice  (as  before  mentioned)  I  had  many  deep 
and  heavenly  Openings,  fome  of  which  it 
may  not  be  amifs  to  mention  here,  inafmuch 
as  I  had  now  a  more  clear  Sight  into  a  tranjla- 
ted  State  than  ever  I  had  before ;  I  came,  thro' 
a  divine  Senfe  and  Participation,  to  have  great 
Sympathy  and  dear  Unity,  not  only  with  the 
ever  memorable  Enochs  whofe  walking  was 
fuch  as  the  Lord  gave  Teftimony  or  Witnefs  to, 
that  he  pleajed  him;  the  Ground  of  v^hich 
Witnefs  was  from  hence,  he  li^ved  mar  and 
loved  God^  and  ^walked  in  the  Ways  of  Virtue^ 
and  abhorred  Vice:  But  alfo  with  the  Apoftie, 
having  this  Seal,  that  God  knoiveth  ivho  are  his ; 
and  with  fome  other  of  the  Servants  of  Chrift  in 
former  Ages  who  could  fliy,  as  fome  now  can  fay, 
(from  true  Experience)  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
beareth  Witnefs  ivith  our  Spirits^  that  njue  are  his^ 
to  wit,  the  Lord'' s  Children^  fo  long  as  ive  do 
*well ;  which  laft  Words  are  of  large  Extent, 
to  do  ivell^  think  ivell^  fpeak  nvell^  and  belie've 
ivell;  for  he  that  hath  no  Faith,  or  that  be- 
lieves ill,  cannot  do  well;  he  that  eats,  drinks, 
or  wears  that  wdiich  he  knows  he  ought  not, 
doth  not  well;  but  what  is  done  well,  is  done 
in  a  pure  Mind  and  clean  Confcience,  for  fo 
is  true  Faith  held,  and  aU  acceptable  Work  to 

God 


(      53      ) 

God  performed.  I  had  great  Openings  into 
the  Removal  of  Mojes^  and  taking  up  of  Elijah^ 
that  great  and  worthy  Prophet,  from  the  Earth 
into  Heaven,  and  I  have  feen  Things  not  fit  to 
be  uttered,  neither  can  the  World  yet  believe 
them ;  and  I  faw  far  into  the  Myftery  of  the 
Transfiguration  of  Chriji^  and  Appearance  of 
Mofes  and  Ellas  with  him  upon  th^  Mount; 
and  the  Voice  which  was  heard  from  the 
excellent  Glory,  This  is  my  beloved  Son^  hear 
him;  not  Mojes  nor  Elias  in  Comparifon  of 
him,  for  the  Law  pointed  to  him,  and  was  as 
a  School-mafter  to  bring  to  him.  The  holy 
Prophets  forefaw,  and  prophefied  of  his  Com- 
ing, and  John  the  Baptift  faw  Chrift,  and 
baptized  him,  and  bore  Witnefs  of  him  as  the 
Light,  and  faid.  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God^  that 
taketh  aivay  the  Sin  of  the  World;  he  alfo  feid. 
He  is  the  Bridegroom  that  hath  the  Bride  (the 
Church;)  he  fpoke  of  his  own  Decreafe,  and 
Unworthinefs  in  comparifon  of  Chrift,  though 
called  by  Chrift  himfelf,  as  grecit  a  Prophei 
as  nvas  ever  born  of  a  Woman^  and  he  was 
alfo  called  Elias^  v/hich  much  firft  come,  and 
is  already  come  in  refpe6t  of  Power,  Knowledge, 
Boldnefs  and  Faithfuluefs ;  he  was  as  Elias^ 
yet  the  leaf  in  the  Kingdom  of  Chrifl  vuas  greater 
than  he^  becaufe  the  Power  and  glorious  King- 
dom and  Gofpel-difpenfation  was  not  fully 
brought  in  (and  rsftored  to  IJrael^  or  thofe  who 
fliould  believe  in  him j  until  his  Ajcenfion ;  but? 
now  thefe  great  Agents  in  thefe  foregoing 
Difpenfations  all  pafled  away,  with  their  figu- 
rative 


(      54      ) 

rative,  propherical  and  elementary  Difpenfations^ 
and  gave  place  to  the  Son  and  Heir  of  all  Things^ 
the  Mejfiah^  the  great  Prophet^  Bijhop^  Shcp" 
ht'rdy  Kmg  and  l.aiz^giver. 

Now  read  thefe  Things,  and  learn  truly  tQ 
underftand  how  Mojes  pad  away,  and  Elius  paft 
away,  and  Chrift  is  left,  who  is  able  alone  to 
perfedl  the  Work  of  Man's  Redemption,  irtjo 
trod  the  Wine-prefs  alone ^  and  amor.gf!:  all  the 
Sons  of  Men,'  none  were  with  him  or  helped 
him ;  he  came  who  was  the  Antitype  of  all  Types 
gone  before :  He,  Chrijl^  is  come  to  remove  the 
Covenant  made  before,  becaufe  of  the  Weaknefs 
and  Imperfedlion  thereof,  which  Cove. ant 
7nade  not  the  Comers  thereto  perfe^^  but  the  better 
Hope  brought  in  by  Chrift,  did ;  fo  this  Covenant 
is  abundantly  more  excellent  which  was  brought 
in  by  Chrift,  and  fettled  and  eftabliflied  upon 
better  Promifes  than  that  was  or  could  be,  by  the 
Blood  of  Bulls^  GoatSy  and  the  A/Joes  of  an 
Heifer^  which  reached  the  outfide  only;  but 
in  the  fecond  or  new  Covenant  there  is  the 
Blood  ivhich  fprinkleth  the  Heart  from  an  evil 
Conjciencey  fo  that  fuch  may  be  fitted  and  qua- 
lified to  ferve  the.  living  God,  not  in  the  Works 
of  the  old  Covenant^  but  in  the  Neivnefs  of  the  holy 
Spirit :  This  is  he  that,  as  to  his  Divinity  and 
Eternity,  was  before  the  Hills  were  fettled^  and 
the  Seas  and  Fountains  ii>ere  made^  that  took 
delight  to  divell  ivith  the  Sons  of  Men^  or  in  the, 
habitable  Parts  oj  the  Earth]  as  he  was  a  Spirit 
or  Word  uncreated,  he  dwelt  meafurably  in 
Ahel^  Seth\  Enochs  and  Isoah  before  the  Flood; 

for 


(      S5      ) 

for  by  his  Spirit  God  ftrove  with  the  old  World 
to  reclaim  them  from  their  Wickednefs,  when 
it  was  great;  it  was  by  this  Spirit  Noah  was 
made  a  Preacher  of  liighteQuJneJs^  and  inftrucSled 
how  to  build  the  Ark ;  this  is  he  who  was  with 
Shem  and  Japheth^  Abrahatii^  ^/(i^c^  Jacob^  and 
Jojeph^  and  all  the  faithful  Fathers  after  the 
flood,  the  Foundation  of  all  the  Righteous, 
Prophets,  Apoftles,  and  Martyrs,  fuch  as  loved 
and  believed  in  him,  and  fuffered  for  his  Name's 
fake,  and  the  Teftimony  which  they  held» 
This  is  he  that  defpifed  the  Glory  of  this  World ^ 
and  is  lifted  up  a  Standard  to  the  People^  and 
an  Enftgn  to  the  Nations ;  unto  him  jloall  the 
Gentiles  feek^  and  his  Reft  fhall  be  glorious ;  he 
hath  lifted  up  a  greater  Rod  than  that  of  Mofes^ 
fo;netimes  called  the  i^c/<^  o/'/ro?/,  by  which  he 
hath,  and  1  believe  will  break  to  pieces  many 
People  as  a  Potter  s  Veffel^  when  the  Sin  and 
In^uity  of  the  People  is  come  to  the  height; 
it  was  he  that  turned  the  Waters  of  Egypt  inta 
pi'jod ;  it  was  he  that  flew  the  Firfl-born 
throughout  all  the  Land  of  Egypt,  he  overthrew 
the  Egyptians,  and  brought  forth  Ifrael  by  afrong 
Hindy  and  an  Arm  ciiflretched.  After  he  had 
marked  the  Dwellings  of  his  People,  and  fjpared 
them  in  the  time  of  this  great  Slaughter,  which 
was  executed  both  upon  Man  and  Beaft,  to  wit^ 
the  Firf'born  in  Egypty  then  he  became  Ifrael\ 
Paflbver.  Read  thefe  Things  (that  were  typi- 
cally done,  and  in  an  outward  \vay)  inwardly, 
and  in  thine  own  Experience,  that  thou  may  ft 
fay,  and  that  trulv,  Chrifl  is  my  Pafjover^  after 

he 


(      56      ) 

he  hath  mitigated  thy  fore  Bondage,  and  in  de- 
gree hath  given  thee  Faith  in  his  great  iName, 
and  hath  caufed  thee  to  love  him,  and  made 
thee  wilUng  to  follow  him,  although  it  be 
through  the  Sea  of  Troubles,  and  fometimes  as 
through  the  Wildernefs.  Here  is  an  eating  of 
the  heavenly  Pajjover^  or  Pajchal  Lamb,  under 
the  Influence  of  the  pure  Love  of  God,  ^hat  is 
fpread  or  difplayed  over  the  Soul  like  a  ^.  .nopy, 
or  Banner:  Here  is  the  heavenly  Manna^  the 
true  Body  to  feed  on,  that  yields  true  Nourilh- 
ment  and  folid  Comfort  to  thy  Soul,  in  this  thy 
Travel  towards  the  heavenly  Country :  Here  is 
the  Subftance  of  the  Scape  Goat  known,  that 
heareth  avoay  the  Shu  of  the  People^  for  he  bore 
our  Iniquities^  and  through  his  Stripes  voere  vje 
healed;  on  his  Part  there  wants  nothing,  but 
on  Man's,  Faith  in,  and  Obedience  to  Chrift : 
He  is  the  Subftanee  or  Antitype  of  the  brazen 
Serpent^  which  was  lifted  up  in  the  Wildernefs 
to  cure  the  Peoples  Ailments,  occafioned  by  the 
Serpents ;  he  is  the  Advocate  vuith  the  Father^ 
as  John  faid,  to  encourage  little  Children  in 
that  time,  which  I  think  may  very  well  be  ap- 
plied to  all  in  that  State  until  time  here  fliall  be 
no  more.  Happy  is  every  one  that  heareth, 
obeyeth,  and  reverenceth  the  Son  and  Heir  of 
all  Things  in  his  fpiritual  Appearance  in  the 
Heart,  where  he  fpcaks  to  the  Conditions  of  the 
Children  of  Men,  as  never  Man  jpoke^  and  to 
much  better  Purpofe  than  ever  Man  could  do : 
This  is  he  that  /poke  to  the  Fathers  by  the  Pro-^ 
fhetSy  %vho  in  theje  Times  doth  /peak  to  us  in  or 

by 


(      57      ) 

by  his  Son;  fo  take  heed  to  his  fpiritual  Ap- 
pearance in  the  Heart,  for  there  muft  the  Work 
of  our  Salvation  be  perfected,  after  Sui  is  purged 
out,  and  the  G  jilt  thereof  taken  away;  to  fuch 
Death  is  ealy,  where  Sin,  the  Sdng  of  Death, 
is  taken  away_,  having  a  PartV/z  G^rz/?,  the  Firji- 
born  of  many  Brethren^  and  ReJiirreSiion  from 
the  Dead;  I  fKy.  having  a  Part  in  him  that  is 
the  Refur region  indeed,  and  the  Life;  over  fuch 
the  Jecond  Death  [wliichi^  a  perpetual  Separation 
from  the  heavenly  Prefence  of  God,  and  Com- 
pany of  holy  Angels)  fJjall  haue  no  Poiver,  I 
now  leave,  I  think,  this  not  unprofitable  Di- 
greffion,  and  rerirn  to  the  more  hiftorical  Part, 
where  one  Thing,  I  think,  is  worthy  of  in- 
ferting  here,  viz. 

In  my  young  Years  I  was  very  much  afflidled 
in  my  Travels,  upon  taking  Cold,  with  a  fore 
Throai^  that  I  could  fcarce  fpeak  fo  as  to  be 
heard,  and  had  much  Trouble  at  times  to  fwal- 
low  any  Thing  which  Nature  did  require ;  and 
in  one  Journey  northward,  in  Truth's  Service, 
coming  to  HavukJJjead^  and  fitting  in  the  Meet- 
ing under  no  fmall  Exercife  with  the  Trouble 
aforefaid,  not  without  fome  Reafonings  and 
Confli6ts  of  Spirit,  having  left  all,  as  I  believed, 
to  do  what  the  Lord  required  of  me,  and  yet  I 
apprehended  myfelf,  by  Means  of  this  Afflic- 
tion, not  likely  to  be  of  any  Service;  and  after 
fome  Reafonings,  and  a  fervent  feeking  to  the 
Lord  to  know  the  Caufe  of  this  great  Trouble, 
and  withal  to  bring  my  Mind  to  a  true  Refigna- 
tion  to  the  Will  of  Ggd  in  this,  and  in  all  the 

Trials 


(      58      ) 

trials  the  Lord  might  fee  good  in  his  WiTrlofn 
to  exercile  me  in;  1  had  not  been  long  brovght 
into  this  devoted  and  refigned  State  to  be  and 
do  what  the  Lord  would  have  me  do,  but  oh ! 
I  felt  of  the  Virtue  of  Chrift  as  a  fweet  and 
living  pring,  by  which  I  was  healed-,  I  was, 
and  am  to  this  Day  (when  I  remember  tiie 
Lord's  kind  Dealings  with  me)  very  thankful 
to  him. 

It  has  been  frequently  cbfervable,  that  tlie 
Lord  leads  his  Servants  through  many  States, 
that  they,  having  the  Experience  thereof,  may- 
be the  more  capable  of  helping  others  in  the 
like  Straits;  it  is  an  excellent  Thing  to  love 
and  truly  believe  in  Jefus  Chrift,  and  keep  Self 
down  as  in  the  Duft  for  ever. 


An  ACCOUNT  6f  my  firfl:  VISIT 
to  FRIENDS  in  AMERICA. 

NO  W  the  Time  came  on  for  my  going 
into  A77ienca^  having  had  a  Sight  of  it 
about  ten  Years  before;  I  alio  acquainted  my 
Wife  there\vith  about  a  Year  before  fhe  died, 
and  I  found  it  was  likely  to  be'a  very  near  trial 
to  her;  ihe  was  a  virtuous,  good  Woman,  but 
was  taken  av/ay,  and  left  me  three  fmall  Chil- 
dren, the  eldeft  not  above  four  Years  old,  the 
youngeft  not  much  above  one  Month  old,  and 
1  having  but  little  of  this  W6rld,  reafoned  much 
stbout    going,    thinking    my  Gircumftances  at 

prelep.*' 


1 


(       59      ) 

prefent  migKt  excufe  me  ;  my  Intentions  werjfi 
good  in  it,  that  I  might  not  leave  Thia^^s 
any  way  to  the  Dlfhonour  of  the  Truth  :  My 
innocent  young  Child  was  takeii  away  wijea 
about  a  Year  old ;  and  foon  after,  where  ever  I 
went,  while  I  was  awake,  it  founded  in  my 
Ears  feveral  Days  and  Nights,  N'ozu  is  the  t'unc^ 
Noiv  is  the  time.  ^  My  other  two  Children,  Pro- 
vidence fo  ordered  it,  that  they  were  pkced  to 
mine  and  Friends  Satisfacftion :  I  went  through 
many  Provings  that  no  Man  knew  of,  but  I 
believe,  when  I  am  gathered  to  my  Place,  1  (hall 
leave  many  Brethren  behind  me  yet  in  mutabi- 
lity, that  will  read  my  Lines  in  their  own  Ex- 
perience. I  would  not  have  any  to  mifunder- 
ftand  me,  for  as  to  my  outward  Circumflances, 
I  left  no  Debt,  neither  was  I  in  a  way  of  goin.g 
backward  in  the  World;  for  ever  after  I  re- 
ceived the  Knowledge  of  the  Truth,  I  could 
not  fee  what  Pretence  I  could  have  to  Religion, 
if  any  fliould  lofe  by  me :  I  have  often  faid, 
and  be^n  hearty  in  my  Intentions,  that  rather 
than  Truth  fhould  fuffcr  on  that  fcore^  I  ivould 
live  upon  Bread  and  Water ^  and  wear  very  7nean 
Cloaths^  and  ivork  very  hard  if  I  were  able^  and 
upon  any  mean^  if  but  laivful  Calling.  It  hath 
been  matter  of  wonder  to  me,  how  any  that 
appear  to  carry  any  Preteniions  to  Religion, 
dare  run  fuch  great  Ventures,  fometimes  beyond 
their  own  Bottoms  or  x^bilities ;  which  to  me 
hath  always  appeared  an  unwarrantable  Rifque; 
and,  as  I  apprehend,  Pride  and  Oftentation  is 
much   the    Occafion   of   it,    which  are   much 

I  againft 


(       6o      ) 

againft  Truth,  and  Men  are  no  better  for  their 
grcatnefs,  for  the  more  plain,  and  the  more  hum- 
ble we  are,  the  more  we  relemble  humble  Jefus 
and  his  Religion,  which  he  laboured  to  inculcate. 
If  any  are  lifted  up,  or  afpire  above  their  place, 
let  them  confider  well  the  foregoing  Paragraph.   . 

Now  I   muft   leave  my   little  Children,  and 
my  very  near  Friends,  and  my  native  Country^ 
and  all  for  Chrift  and  the  Gofpel's  fake,  without 
any  finifter  End  or  View ;  and  then  I  appeal- 
ed to  the  Lord,  in  the  fimpiicity  of  my  Heart, 
that  he  kneiv  I  zvas  willing  to  be  at  his  Difpofaly 
and  ivhat  he  had  favoured  nie  ivithy  I  could  leave 
to  him  ;  yet  whether  what  I  had  was  fuihcicnt 
to  defray  mine  and  my  two  little  ones  necelTary 
Charges,  was    fomewhat  in   my  way  ;    and  to^ 
fatisfy  me  in   this  Doubt,    the    Lord's   Voice 
founded  exceeding  clear  to  that  Senfation  I  was 
then  endued  with,  faying.    Go  and  be  faithful^ 
and  I  ivill  blefs  thee  every  ivay.     Oh  my  Heart 
feemed  to  me  to  melt,  and  my  Spirit  to  difTolve 
within  me,  and  I  faid.  Good  is  the  Word  of  the 
Lordy  thou  hafl  not  failed  me  in  any  of  ?ny  great 
Straits  and  2  rials    to  this  Day  ;    I  have  great 
Caufe   to  trufl  in  thee  :    Renovcncd  be   thy   moft 
excellent  Name^  novu  and  for  ever,  r 

I  parted  with  my  Friends  with  much  broken- 
nefs  of  Heart,  and  fet  forwards  on  my  Journey 
towards  London^  in  order  to  take  ihipping  there, 
the  nth  of  the  Eighth  Month  1700  ;  and 
when  I,  with  my  Companions  Thomas  Thonip- 
fon^  Jofah  Langdale^  and  fohn  Efiaiigh^  with 
jfome   other  Friends^  went  on  board  a  Ship  in 

th€ 


(      6i      ) 

the  River  Thames^  we  had  not  been  long  there, 
and  having  confidered  our  freedom  about  going 
in  the  Ship,  it  opened  clearly  in  my  Mind,  in  the 
Light,  that  I  miijl  not  go  in  that  Vejfd\  and  I 
faid  to  the  Friends,  /  could  not  go  in  her^  for  I 
faiv  nothing  hut  Death  and  Darknefs  there.  The 
Account  of  what  afterwards  happened  to  the 
Ship  I  had  from  two  particular  Friends,  in 
two  feveral  Letters  from  London  into  America^ 
wherein  they  exprefled  a  Thankfulnefs  for  our 
Deliverance,  and  magnified  that  Hand  which 
wrought  it,  and  preferved  us  from  going  in  that 
iShip,  which  was  loft  near  the  Iflands  of  either 
Jerjey  or  Guernfey^  and,  as  it  was  faid,  about 
ieventy  People  were  drowned. 

Peradventure  I  may  mention  fome  Things 
that  may  appear  to  be  of  but  little  moment,  but 
I  have  feen  a  divine  Providence  attend  terr^e 
Affairs,  although  they  may  appear  of  little  con- 
fequenceto  fome;  fuch  as  do  not  duly  confider 
thefe  Things,  may  make  a  wrong  Application, 
and  as  the  courfe  of  my  Travels  hath  afforded 
variety  of  Trials  and  Tranfacflion^  which  are 
in  fome  Things  very  particular,  from  whence 
arifeth  variety  of  Accounts,  fo  there  hath  been  a 
Willingnefs  in  my  Mind  to  favour  fome  who 
liave  be'en  defirous  of  having  me  to  leave  a 
Journal  of  my  Life,  which  I  have  complied 
with,  as  far  as  I  can  fee  my  way  clear  in  the 
Truth. 

Then  we  went  on  board  of  another  Ship 
called  the  Arundel,  Splenden RandMdAcv^  in 
v^hich  we    embarked    the    17th  of  the  Ninth 

Month 


(         62         ) 

Month  1700,  and  after  many  Storms,  and  much 
Sja-lickneis,  not  without  fome  Conflicts  ot  Spi- 
rit, more  than  I  am  free  to  exprefs,  and  a  long 
Paflage,  being  near  fixteen  Weeks  upon  the  S  a, 
we  arrived  in  the  River  Patuxent  in  MaryianJy 
as  near  as  I  remember,  the  5th  or  6th  oi  the 
Firil  Month  1701,  and  my  Heart  was  glad, 
and  filled  with  Acknowledgments  and  Pranes 
to  the  Lord,  for  bringing  us  fafe  over  the  mighty 
Waters. 

Now  we  left  the  Ship  and   Mafter,  who  was 

but  a  churliih,  ill-natured    ^'''an.     I  was   very 

weak  and  low  when  1  landed,  both  in  Body  and 

I^riad,  bat  the  lord  helpeu  me,    and  made  my 

Journey  and  Labours  comfortable  to  many,  as 

well  as  to  my  own  Soul.  Alter  the  firfl  or  fecond 

Meeting  we   were  at,    yohn  EJlaugh  being  now 

my  Companion,  as  we  came  near  a  great  Houfe 

in  Maryhmd^  I  efpied  a  little   white  Horfe,  the 

Sight  of  which  put  me  in  mnnd  of  a  Dreani  I 

had  on  board  the  bhip  before  I  landed,   in  which 

I  thought  I  got  a  little  ivhite  Horje  ivhich  carried 

vie  ivell^  and  many  Miles  ;    1  faid  to  the  Fritials 

with  me,   let  us  call  here  at   this  Hov.fe^  which 

we  did,  and  upon  Enquiry  about  a  Horfe,  the 

Man  faid,  he  had  none  hut  a   little   nihite  young 

Galloivay^  as  he  called  it,  which  he  was  lulling 

to  fell^  and  withal   told    us,  it  carried  hnn  one 

Day  forty  Miles^  and  afked  8/.  flerlirg  for  it,  and 

I  bad  him  5/.  fterling;  the  Man's  Wifccomuig 

tip  the  Faffage,  heard  what   I  had  offered,  and 

Ihe  faid  to  her  Hufband,  it  is  enough \    io  I  had 

him,  and  a  good  Hoiic  he  provea,  and  carriul 


(      63      ) 

me,  by  a  moderate  Computation,  4000  Miles. 
I  took  this,  according  to  the  nature  of  it,  to  be 
a  lingular  Favour  from  that  great  Hand  which 
led  me  forth,  and  hitherto  hath  prcferved  me 
in  the  Land  of  the  Living,  to  praile  his  ever 
worthy  Name. 

Now  we  fet  forward  towards  Virginia  and 
North-Carolina^  and  found  great  Opennefs  in 
tnefe  two  Provinces  amongft  the  People,  and  a 
tender-hearted  Remnant  of  Friends  fcatterH, 
abroad  in  thefe  wildernefs  Countries.  Although, 
as  I  faid  before,  1  was  brought  very  low,  yet 
the  Lord,  in  whom  I  did,  and  yet  do  believe 
and  put  my  Truft,  raifed  me,  and  filled  many- 
times  my  Heart  with  his  Word  and  Teftimony, 
fo  that  fometimes  it  went  forth  as  a  Flame  of 
Fire  amongft  the  loofe  Libertines,  who  were 
proud  and  unfaithful,  yet  profeffors  of  the 
Truth,  and  we  had  many  large  and  good  Meet- 
ings. One  Thing  is  Worthy  of  Notice  ;  as  I 
was  fpeaking  in  a  Meeting  in  Virginia^  a  fudden 
flop  came  upon  me,  and  occafioned  me  to  fay, 
I  cannot  go  fovward^  ivhatjoever  the  7natter  may 
hc^  I  knoiv  not :  But  giving  over  immediately, 
a  Friend,  wbo;^  Name  was  Eduuard  Thomas^ 
began  to  prei^  '  who  was^  but  young  in  the 
Miniftry,  altho  an  elderly  Man,  and  apt  to 
be  attended  witl  eafonings  ;  but  2ls  he  faid 
after  the  Meeting,  nr  had  fought  to  the  Lordwith 
Prayers^  that  he  m-m^d  condejcend  fo  far  to  his 
Re  que  ft  ^  as  to  give  me  a  Senje  of  him^  and  in  fo 
doing  he  would  take  that  as  a  great  Strength^  and 
ierea^^^^^^^^^^  ^/V  Minflry^  m  this  the  Day  of 
\  '  his 


(      64      )  •   ^ 

his  many  Exercifes  and  great  Fears^  or  much  to 
the  fame  efFecfl ;  thus  we  fee  the  Lord  in  his 
great  Mercy  condefcends  to  the  low,  weak,  and 
as  it  were,  infant  States  of  his  Children,  like  a 
tender  Father,  and  being  our  heavenly  High- 
priefl,  is  touched  with  the  Feeling  of  the  Infir- 
mities of  his  People ;  Thankfgiving  and  Honour 
be  given  to  his  nioft  excellent  Name,  now  and 
for  ever. 

During  our  Stay  in  Virginia^  one  remarkable 
Paffage  occurred,  which  it  may  not  be  amifs  to 
infert  here,  and  the  cafe  was  thus ;  I  being  at 
a  Friend's  Floufe,  an  ancient  Widow,  in  order 
to  go  to  the  Meeting,  obferved  as  I  fate  in  the 
Houfe,  feveral  Perfons  of  note  come  into  the 
Yard  (a  Store-houfe  being  near)  to  make,  as 
appeared  afterwards,  a  Seizure  for  Rates  for  the 
Government  and  Prieft,  they  not  being  diftmcflly 
charged,  but  a  mixed  Rate,  occafions  Friends  in 
thofe  Parts  to  be  ftraitned  abovit  the  Payment  of 
them :  I  obferving  the  Prieft  to  be  there,  and  ap- 
pear very  bufy,  afked,  What  he  ivas  come  about  ? 
The  Friend  replied.  They  ivere  come  to  make  Dif- 
trefs  for  the  4olb.  per  Poll^  as  they  phrafe  it, 
which  is  40  Pounds  of  Tobarco^  payable  for 
every  taxable  Plead,  (i.  e.  all  ahov^  fixteen  Years 
old.)  There  were  along  with  '  h^  '  rieil  the  Sheriff 
and  Conftable  for  the  Gov!  r-'  r,entj  and  divers 
Merchants  of  note  as  Spec'^r^ors:  I  underftand- 
ing  the  reafon  of  their  ^  ming,  ftept  out  to 
the  Prieft,  who  feemed  a  topping  brifk  Man, 
his  Temper  in  this  cai^  not  unfuitable  to  his 
Name,  which  was   Sharps,  and  bring  con«-^ 


'x-^< 


(    es    ) 


him,  I  defired  him  to  be  careful  how  he  devoured 
Widoivs  Houfes  ;  he  brifkly  replied,  he  did  not  ; 
to  which  I  as  clofely  returned,  that  I  found  he 
did.  He  denied  rny  Affertion,  and  faid.  The 
Government  gave  him  ivhat  he  demanded  and 
took ;  to  which  I  gave  the  following  Anfwer  ; 
Inafnuch  as  he  did  not  any  thing  for  the  B^  idoiv^ 
for  ivhich  he  reafonably  might  require  a  Revuard^  I 
believed  the  Government  woidd  not  infiji  upon  it 
for  him^  if  he  would  be  willing  to  drop  it^  which 
in  common  Equity  I  thought  hejhould.  The  Priefl, 
difpleafed  with  this  modeft  Reply,  tartly  an- 
fwer'd,  Tou  are  no  Chriftians,  I  told  him,  The 
Charge  was  high^  and  falfe^  and  he  might  more 
eafily  affirm  than  prove  it  ;  wherefore  I  put 
the  Queftion,  and  allied  him,  Why  we  were  fo 
charged  by  him  ?  To  which  he  returned  this  in- 
fignificant  Anfwer,  l^hat  we  denied  part  of  the 
Divinity  of  Ckrifl,  I  told  him,  he  was  a  Novice^ 
and  receded  in  his  Opinioh,  from  mof  of  his  Bre- 
thren^ Jeeing  it  was  a  general  Refledion  cofl  on 
us  by  fnofl  cf  his  Fraternity^  That  voe  oivned  the 
Divinity  ofChrift,  but  denied  his  Manhood, 
^hich  was  falfe  alfo ;  therefore  I  demanded  of 
him,  to  prove  vohat  Part  of  the  Divinity  of 
Chrift  vue  denied  y  in  which  if  he  failed^  I  fjjould 
look  upon  him  as  a  falfe  Acciifer^  and  tboft  prefe7it 
nvould^  I  hoped^  be  myWitneJjes  :  But  he  ilm filed, 
and  declined  anfwering,  though  I  virged  him  as 
much  as  poffible ;  and  to  cut  the  matter  off,  he 
aflced,  fVhence  I  came  ?  The  Sheriff  bid  him 
give  me  a  Verfe  in  Greeks  I  told  them,  I  mat-- 
iered  not  middling  in   that^  for   as  the  Engliih 

Tongue 


(      66      )  **** 

Tongue  was  hcjl  underlhod  by  thofe  prcfcnt^  there-^ 
fore  I  thought  it  would  be  be/l  to  keep  it.  I  told 
him,  I  was  of  0\A  England  \  but  fti  11  reminded 
him  of  his  proving  his  Affertion,  which  I  looked 
for  from  him  ;  but  inflead  of  that,  he  afked 
ivhat  part  oj  Old  England  /  came  from  ?  I  told 
him  Torkfhire  ;  and  bid  him  produce  his  Proofs, 
as  before  urged,  but  he  ftill  evading  the  matter, 
defired  to  know  frcm  what  Place  ?  I  told  him 
/  'u^as  born  at  North  Cave;  and^  faid  he,  I ivas 
born  ^/  South  Cave,  and  my  Father  was  Minifter 
there  many  Tears^  his  Nawx  ivas  Sharp,  and  there 
is  but  a  Mile  difference  betivixt  thofe  Places :  I 
faid,  it  ivas  a  long  one.  No  fooner  was  this 
over,  but  the  Prieit,  tranfported  with  my  being 
his  Countryman,  began  hugging  me  to  fuch  a 
degree,  that  1  was  quite  afhamed  of  him  : 
When  I  had,  not  without  fome  Difficulty,  got 
clear  of  his  Embraces,  I  a&edhim,  if  he  efleem^ 
ed  hhrfelf  a  Minifter  'of  Chriji  ?  He  anfwered, 
Yea^  and  lawfully  called  thereto  ;  I  told  him,  if 
he  uims  a  Gof pel- Minifter^  as  the  Gofpefivas  free^ 
fo  fhould  his  MiniHry  be  free ;  and  turning 
to  the  People  there  prefent,  I  told  them,  J  ivould 
not  haue  them  decevved^  for  they  wAght  underftand 
he  only  poffejjt^d  his  Place  by  uirtiie  of  a  Law  in 
that  Cafe  provided^  and  his  Call  and  Ordination 
ivas  only  fuch  as  had  been  transferred  upon  him 
for  a  Fee^  ivhich  made  hi?n  require  Pay  for  what 
he  did^  and  indeed  ix^here  he  did  nothings  which 
was  highly  unfair ;  ivherefore  they  iuight  upon 
Confideratwn  find  he  was  but  a  Mifii/ler  of  the 
Letter,  which  %vas    dead,    afid  not  'a  Minifter  of 

the 


i 


(      67      ) 

the  Spirit  and  divine  Power:  From  which  he 
offered  not  to  clear  himfelf,  though  I  urged  him 
thereto.  Then  I  TL^ktdhxm^  which  of  thofe  odious 
Charadlerifticks  the  falfe  Mini  Hers  were  branded 
With^  and  deciphered  by  in  the  Ne-uu  Te/lament^  he 
could  clear  himfelf  of  ?  which  I  then  enumerated 
to  him.  The  Sheriff  faid,  itnvasfo\  and  withal 
faid,  Mr,  Sharp,  anfwer  the  Man^  for  the  ^ef- 
tion  is  'very  rational^  and  you  ought  to  an-iver 
him^  and  for  Honour  Jake  clear  yourfelf  of  thofe 
Odiums  if  you  can:  But  he  would  not  offer  co 
meddle  with  it ;  wherefore  I  told  him,  to  fuind 
for  the  future^  not  to  charge  any  Man  or  People 
with  more  than  he  could  be  fare  to  prove ;  for  it 
was  highly  fcandalous.  It  being  now  Meeting- 
time,  I  afked  him  to  go  thither ;  but  he  refufing, 
faid,  he  durfl  not  \  fo  we  parted. 

Having  vifited  Friends  here,  we  returned  back 
for  Maryland^  and  Pennfylvania^  and  a  great  many 
we  found  who  loved  to  hear  the  TeRimony  and 
t)o(flrines  of  Truth,  but  too  few  there  were, 
w^ho  took  up  the  Crofs  daily,  .and  followed 
Chrifl  in  the  way  of  Self-denial,  and  knew  the 
thorough  Work  of  Regeneration,  fo  as  to  have 
their  Qarments  wajloed  and  made  white  in  the 
myftical  Blood  of  the  Lamb:  Thefe  are  not  pol- 
luted with  the  Sins  and  Iniquities  of  the  World, 
who  have  experienced  this  Blood  to  fprinkle 
the  Heart  from  an  evil  Confcience.  Theie  are 
capable  of  ferving  the  living  God;  and  comi';g 
fromtheLaveror  Pool  that  truly  waflies,  there  is 
none  unfruitful,  but  every  one  bearing  tixmin^  and 
^ev  are  iawardlv  clean  and  fruitful  to  God,  and 

K.  w^alk 


(      68      ) 

walk  with  him,  whofe  bright  and  fhining  LiVeS 
are  alfo  fruitful  to  the  World  thlt  will  receive 
them.  Read  this  thou  that  hafl  known  fome- 
thing  of  the  Work  of  Convtrfton^  and  confider 
the  great  Difference  there  is  between  the  bright 
Lives  of  the  Virtuous^  and  the  dull  and  cloudy 
Lives  of  the  Vicious^  and  befure  thou  look  well, 
which  of  thefe  thou  moft  refembleft  in  thine. 

Now  when  we  came  into  Pennfylvania^  my 
Companion  before  mentioned,  whom  I  loved 
well,  told  me  he  muji  go  back  to  Virginia  ;  it 
became  an  Exercife  to  us  both,  for  I  could  not 
fee  my  Way  clear  to  go  back,  having  been  twice 
through  that  Province.  When  no  other  Way 
appeared,  but  we  muft  part,  (for  my  Way  ap^ 
peared  clear  for  the  Jerjeys^  Long- I/land^  Rhode-- 
IJland^  and  Netv-England)  I  held  it  needful  that 
we  fliould,  as  we  did,  call  the  Friends  and 
Elders  of  Philadelphia  and  thereabouts  together, 
to  let  them  know  how  we  parted,  for  we  parted 
in  much  Love  and  Tender-heartednefs ;  yet 
notwithftanding,  left  any  undue  Reflections 
fliould  be  caft  upon  the  Friends  there  concern- 
ing us,  becaufe  of  our  parting,  I  thought  thefe 
Friends  would  be  capable  of  fetting  thofe  Things 
in  their  proper  Light,  being  WitnelTes  thereto  ; 
fo  taking  our  Leave  of  our  dear  Friends  in  thefe 
Parts,  1  travelled  without  any  Companion  out- 
wardly, or  conftantly  ;  but  I  fometimes  fell 
into  company  with  Elizabeth  JVebb  and  Sarah 
Clement^  who  were  virtuous  Women,  and  lived 
near  the  Kingdom,  and  were  of  good  Service  in 
their  Travels,  and  grew  in  Truth,  which  while 

with 


(      69      ) 

vsrith  them  I  was  fenfible  of:  We  travelled  under 
great  Care  and  Circumfpedlipn,  both  for  our 
own  good,  and  avoiding  OfFence,  as  became 
ouir  Places,  and  holy  Profeffion,  that  in  all 
Things  we  might  adorn  the  Gofpel  of  the 
Kingdom,  a  Difpenfation  of  which  was  com- 
mitted to  us  to  preadi  unto  others.  Good 
Service  I  had  for  the  Lord,  and  great  Satisfadlion 
in  my  own  Mind  in  thefe  Parts,  the  Lord  help- 
ing me  by  his  mighty  Power  through  all  my 
Trials,  as  my  Heart  and  Mind  was  devoie4, 
and  refigned  to  anfwer  his  Requirings. 

I  had  great  Openings  in  feveral  Places  in 
^eW'England^  and  it  appeared  clear  to  me, 
and  fometimes  I  fpoke  openly  of  it,  that  the 
Lord  would  gather  a  great  People  to  the  faving 
Knowledge  of  the  Truth  in  his  Time,  notwith- 
ftanding  what  many  of  our  Friends  had  fufFerecJ 
for  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  and  Teftimony  w^hich 
they  held  in  thefe  Parts,  from  the  Predeceflbrs  of 
the  prefent  Inhabitants  :  The  View  of  the  State 
pi  thefe  Things,  efpecially  the  great  Sufferings 
of  many  of  our  faithful  Friends,  put  me  in 
mind  of  that  Saying,  that  The  Blood  of  the  Nlar-^ 
tyrs  is  the  Seed  of  the  Church ;  and  in  this  cafe, 
I  believe  it  will  be  fulfilled  in  its  Seafon. 

One  Paifage  happened,  which  I  think  not  fit 
to  pafs  over  in  filence :  There  came  into  one 
Meeting,  eaftward  in  Neiv-England^  a  Man, 
who  was  Brother  to  a,  Prejbyterian  Prieft,  to 
oppofe  Friends,  (who,  as  Friends  faid,  had  been 
often  very  troublefome  in  that  Meeting)  in  the 
Beginning  of   the  Meeting  he  defired  to  have 

Liberty 


(      7^      ) 

Liberty  to  afk  fonie  ^itjiions.  I  being  a  Stran-* 
gcr,  and  not  having  lb  much  as  heard  of  the 
Man,  nor  any  making  Reply  to  him,  1  felt 
Liberty  in  the  Truth  to  return  the  following 
Anfwer  in  behalf  of  the  Meeting,  That  I  did  ap- 
frehend  it  ivas  the  Defire  of  Friends^  inafmuch  as 
the  Meeting  %sDas  appointed  for  the  Worjhip  of  God ^ 
and  not  for  afking  of  §nefions,  or  Controverftes^ 
that  the  chief  Part  fhould  firjl  he  an/hvcred  ;  and 
J  aljo  thought  the  Meeting  'would  be  v^ilUng^  in 
the  Conclitfton^  to  give  him  Liberty '  t&  afk  the 
^leflions^  if  his  Intent  therein  *ix>as  for  Informal 
tion  or  Satisfaction,  and  not  for  Contention. 
Friends  were  filent,  and  the  Man  fubmitted  to 
what  was  propofed,  and  a  good  Meeting  we  hadj 
the  Lord's  heavenly  Power  and  hving  Prefence 
being  with  us,  and  theSubltance  wasfeit  among 
lis,  and  exalted  over  all  the  Shadows  and  Types  j 
and  Chrill  the  true  Bread  and  living  Water, 
Light  and  Life  of  the  World,  was  exalted  that 
Day  ;  and  the  mighty  God  and  Father,  with 
his  beloved  Son,  through  the  Help  of  the  holy 
Spirit,  was  glorified,  who  is  worthy  for  ever. 
Near  the  Conclufion  of  the  Meeting,  the  Mar^ 
began  to  fpeak  well  of  what  he  had  heard,^ 
particularly  touching  that  ot  Water^Bapti/m^ 
which,  he  faid,  he  had  nothing  to  objeSi  againfl\ 
but  as  to  the  Sacrament^  as  he  called  it,  hecaufe 
little  or  nothing  had  been  faid  about  it^  therejore 
he  concluded^  we  either  denied  or  dijufed  it ;  or 
Words  to  the  fame  purport.  Then  1  flood  up 
and  faid,  /  did  not  remember  that  the  Word' 
Sacrament  luas  in  all  the  hibk ;  but^  I  faid,  / 

V  JtcppoJ^d 


{      71       ) 

fuppofed  he  meant  the  Bread  and  Wine;  he  an- 
fvvered,  he  did;  I  aflced  him,  ivhether  he  ivas  of 
the  fame  Mind  the  Epifcopal  Church  *was  of?  If 
not  of  the  fame  Mind  he  might  fay  fo\  for  they 
fay^  the  Bread  and  Wine  is  an  outward  and 
vifible  Sign  of  an  inward  and  fpiritual  Grace,  ^t. 
^what  jaid  he  to  it?  He  was  fome  Time  filent; 
then  I  alked  him,  How  long  he  thought  that  Sign 
nvas  to  continue?  He  replied,  To  the  End  of  the 
World.  I  anfwered,  He  did  not  read  in  all  the 
Bible^  that  the  Lord  had  appointed  any  Figure  or 
Sign  but  what  ivas  to  end  in  the  Subfance^  ivhich 
is  to  be  ivitneffed  and  enjoyed  in  this  World ^  and 
not  put  off  only  to  the  End  or  Conclufion  thereof^ 
as  his  Argument  feemed  to  declare^  by  his  urging, 
that  the  Sign  of  that  divine  Suhjlance  mujl  remain 
till  the  End  of  this  EWorld.  I  afked  him,  E^oat 
he  could  anfwer  to  that  ?  He  turned  ofF  with 
jonly  faying,  /  ivas  too  great  a  Scholar  for  him^ 
and  Jo  he  ivould  not  meddle  ivith  me.  He  thea 
was  filent,  and  there  being  many  People,  I 
had  a  fine  Opportunity  to  open  to  the  tender- 
hearted, and  Friends  prefent,  how  that  was  at 
t)eft  but  a  Sign,  which  the  People  eat  and 
drank  outwardly,  in  Remembrance  of  ChriiVsi 
Death  until  he  came,  but  that  I  could  now 
prove  plenteoufly  from  the  New  Teftament, 
that  the  Subftance^  the  Grace  was  come,  and 
urged  many  Proofs  cut  of  the  Scriptures 
to  the  fame  purpofe:  And  when  I  had  done, 
what  I  had  faid,  fo  reached  a  good-like 
old  Man,  a  Presbyterian^  that  he  confeiTed 
with  T^rs,  he  had  heard  much  faid  upon  that 

Siibjeil^ 


(       7^      ) 

Bubje/i^  but  had  never  heard  it  fo  opened  before ; 
and  faid,  he  believed  I  ivas  in  the  right.  The 
Meeting  broke  up  in  a  good  Frame,  and 
Friends  much  rejoiced  that  Truth  came  over 
all,  and  the  contentious  Man  was  filenced :  And 
xvhen  the  Meeting  was  over,  the  goodly  old 
Man  took  me  to  the  Door,  and  aflced  me, 
what  a  Man  /hould  do  in  cafe  of  a  folemn  League 
and  Covenant,  he  being  entered  into  it?  I  told 
him,  /  needed  not  to  dire£l  him^  jor  he  had  that 
in  himfelf  vohich  ivouldfjew  him  what  hefhould  do; 
for  if  one  fJjould  make  an  Agreement  or  Covenant 
ivith  Hell  and  Deaths  in  the  time  of  Ignorance 
and  Darknefs^  and  novo  the  true  Light  di/covered 
it  to  be  fo ;  the  fame  Light  vuhich  dif covered  and 
manifefied  it  to  be  wrong,  as  he  voas  faithful  to 
the  fame  ^  ivould  [hew  him  hoiv  and  vuben  to  break 
it,  and  every  other  tvrong  thing ;  to  vuhich  Light 
I  recommended  him^  and  bid  him  take  heed  to 
it;  which,  he  faid,  he  hoped  he  fJoould;  and 
fo  I  left  him  with  Tears  on  his  Cheeks,  and 
paffed  on. 

I  omitted  one  thing  which  happened  in  that 
Part  of  NeiJU' England  near  Nevu-Tork  and  Long^ 
I/land^  although  I  was  twice  backward  and 
forward,  yet  to  be  brief  in  my  Travels  through 
thofe  Countries,  intended  to  make  one  Account 
ferve,  viz.  As  I  was  fpeaking  in  a  Meeting, 
there  came  a  great  Damp  over  my  Spirit,  and 
in  that  Time  came  into  the  Meeting  feveral 
Men,  occafioned  by  a  topping  and  great  Man 
in  the  World,  who  had  given  them  an  J!.xpedlr 
ation   that    they    fliould   hear   how  jjt^  would 

opDofe 


(      73      ) 

oppofe  the  fakers  ;  but  in  a  fliort  time  TrutK 
rofe,  and  Friends  generally  heard  a  Man  fay  to 
this  Difputant,  ivby  do  yaii  not /peak?  he  hufhed 
him  with  faying,  the  Man  is  upon  the  Subje£l 
which  I  intend  to  oppofe  them  with.  After  fome 
time  the  Man  was  put  upon  again  to  fpeak  to 
me,  with  a  ivhy  do  not  you /peak  ?  we  heard  hioi 
fay,  the  Man  has  opened  the  Thing  fo  as  I  never 
heard  it  before^  and  I  have  nothing  to  Jay  :  And 
to  his  own,  and  the  Wonder  of  his  Neighbours^ 
he  fat  down  upon  a  Seat  near  the  Door  and 
wept  tenderly  ;  fo  it  was  a  good  time  to  him^ 
and  many  more,  for  the  Lord's  mighty  Power 
was  amongft  vis.  And  in  my  Retvirn  from  my 
Journey  in  the  Eaft  Parts  of  Nevu-England^  the 
fame  great  Man  defired  me  to  condefcend  to 
have  a  Meeting  at  his  Houfe ;  and  after  dud 
Confideration  and  Approbation  of  Friends,  who 
defired  it  might  be  fo,  when  they  knew  it 
was  his  Requefl,  a  Meeting  was  appointed, 
and  I  heard  there  were  likely  to  be  at  it  a 
great  many  of  the  higher  fort  of  Presbyteriam 
of  his  Neighbourhood. 

I  went  to  the  Meeting  under  no  fmall  Con- 
cern of  Mind,  but  when  I  was  come  into  the 
great  Houfe,  I  was  very  much  afFeded  with 
the  wife  Condudl  of  the  Man,  to  fee  in  what: 
excellent  order  he  had  placed  every  thing,  fo 
that  I  could  not  find  wherein  any  thing  could 
be  amended;  and  a  heavenly  Meeting  it  was, 
without  any  Oppofition;  and  at  the  breaking 
up  of  ^e  Meeting,  this  tender  Man,  whofe 
Heart  was  broken  and  opened  by  the  Power  of 

Truth, 


(      74      ) 

Truth,  faid  audibly.  His  Heart  and  Houfe  wen 
open  to  receive  me^  and  fuch  as  me^  let  all  Jay 
*wbat  they  would  to  the  contrary.  But  what  the 
fubjedt  matter  was  at  the  firft  Meeting  when  he 
came  in,  I  forgot;  it  was  enough  that  we 
remembered  we  had  a  good  and  heavenly  Meet- 
ing, and  were  truly  thankful  for  the  fame  to 
him  who  was  the  Author  thereof. 

I  and  fome  other  Friends  being  in  our  Paflagc 
by  Water  in  a  VefTel  bound  for  Rhode- IJland^  and 
meeting  with  high  and  contrary  Winds,  we  put 
into  a  Creek  fome  Miles  diftant  from  Rhode^ 
JJland^  and  defired  the  People  to  procure  us  fome 
Horfes  to  ride  on,  and  we  would  pay  them 
any  thing  that  was  reafonable,  but  hoped  they 
would  not  make  a  Prey  of  us,  for  we  were 
Strangers,  and  they  ought  to  do  to  us  as  they 
would  be  done  by,  if  they  were  in  a  ftrange 
Land,  as  we  were;  and  there  came  up  to  us  a 
goodly  old  Man,  and  afked  us,  what  People 
ive  ivere?  if  'we  were  not  Quakers?  I  told  him, 
^ji^e  njuere  in  Scorn  fo  called^  but  nve  did  not  much 
mind  Names^  for  there  uuas  hut  little  in  them.  He 
was  a  briflc  talking  Man,  and  faid,  there  ivas  a 
Man.  here  lately  that  faid  he  nvas  a  Quaker,  and 
horronved  a  Horfe^  and  when  he  was  gone  fome 
Miles  from  this  Place^  he  offered  to  fell  the  Horfe: 
J  knoiv  not^  faid  the  Man,  but  you  are  fuch,  I 
returned  this  Anfwer  to  the  Refle6lion;  27?^/ 
*was  a  great  Proof  that  we  inhere  an  honejl  and 
reputable  People  ^uuhere  ive  ivere  knouuii^  he  might 
cffure  himfelf  of  that\  for  ivhen  a  Man  is  fa 
wicked^    as  to  become  a  notorious  Chedf^  he  nviil 

COVL 


(      75      ) 

t^ver  him/elf  under  the  bejl  Name  he  can  think  oj\ 
othcr*iv,ife  he  might  have /aid  he  ivas  a  Baptift,  or 
a  Prefbyterian,  or  an  Epifcopalian,  and  defired 
you  to  lend  him  an  Horfe ;  but  you  mind  not  thefe 
Names^  neither  doth  the  ivicked  Man  think  he  can 
pafsfo  ivell  under  any  of  thefe  laft,  but  under  the 
Jirfl'y  and  the  reafon  of  it  I  leave  thee  to  judge* 
The  old  Man  alked  no  more  Queftions,  but 
ufed  his  Endeavours  to  get  us  Horfes,  and  a 
Man  and  Horfe  to  go  with  us,  to  have  the 
Horfes  back  again,  and  we  were  well  mounted ; 
but  before  we  fet  forward,  the  old  Man  took 
me  to  his  Houfe  and  was  very  courteous  to  nie, 
for  though  we  had  fpoke  for  fome  Victuals  in 
as  ftiort  a  time  as  well  might  be,  he  invited  me 
to  drink,  and  brought  of  his  Apples  and  Beer, 
which  he  would  have  my  Friends  to  partake  of, 
for^  he  faid,  (and  we  found  it  true)  it  was  but  a 
poor  Inn\  I  think  there  was  no  Liquor  at  it 
but  Brandy  or  Rum,  and  Water.  The  old 
Man  and  I  parted  very  lovingly,  and  I  gave 
him  a  piece  of  Money  to  fliew  my  Gratitude 
for  his  Civility  and  good  Service  to  us>  The 
People  looked  upon  us  as  fome  great  Wonder, 
for  I  heard  one  fay^  Are  thefe  Quakers  ?  ivell ^ 
faid  he,  they  look  like  other  People,  How  we 
had  been  reprefented,  and  by  whom,  its  not 
hard  to  gather,  for  it  is  very  apparent,  the  fame 
Spirit  and  the  fame  Enmity  yet  doth  continue 
in  fome  of  the  Inhabitants  ot  that  Country, 
which  fome  of  our  Friends  formerly  felt  the 
fevere  Effedls  of;  but  they  are  lince  fomewhat 
moderated  by  the  Government  there^  which  is 


(      76      ) 

of  a  more  mild  and  Chriftian  Difpofition; 
although  I  am  well  alTured,  that  many  of  the 
more  confcientious  and  thinking  People  in  thofe 
Parts  of  the  World  begin  to  fee,  and  many  will 
fee  and  underftand  in  time,  that  hanging  and 
taking  aivay  Lives ^  for  the  fake  of  Religion,  is 
oppofite  to  Chrift,  and  the  Nature  of  the  true 
Religion  which  is  wrought  in  Man  by  the 
Operation,  Quickenings,  and  Indiuellings  of  the 
holy  Spirit^  which,  as  it  is  regarded  and  follow- 
ed, leavens  and  brings  the  Soul  of  Man  in  fome 
degree  to  put  on  the  Purity,  heavenly  Image, 
and  Nature  of  Chrift,  which  is  Love^  praying 
for  Enemies^  and  is  not  for  dejlroying^  hwt  faving 
Lives ;  but  how  far  the  Reverfe  will  agree  with 
that  Religion  taught  by  Chrift,  and  pradlifed 
by  him  and  the  Apoftles,  I  would  have  all  feri- 
oufly  confider  of  in  time. 

While  we  were  in  Bojlon^  when  one  of  the 
aforementioned  worthy  Women  was  declaring 
excellently,  with  both  good  Utterance  and  Voice, 
as  alfo  good  Matter,  as  the  manner  of  the  Inha- 
bitants of  Bojion  had  been  for  many  Years  to 
encourage,  or  at  leaft  fiifFer  a  rude  Mob  to  bawl 
and  make  a  Noife,  fo  they  did  now,  that  it  was 
hard  to  hear  fo  as  to  underftand  diftindly  what 
the  Friend  faid,  although  ftie  fpoke  plain  and 
intelligibly :  It  did  very  much  grieve  me  to  to  fee 
the  Ignorance  and  Darknefs  of  thofe  high  Pro- 
felTors  of  Religion,  fo  that  when  the  Friend 
had  done,  obferving  there  appeared  Men  of 
fome  note  in  the  World,  I  requefted  them  to 
huih   the  Rabble,    for  I  had  fometliing  to  fay, 

which 


(      77      ) 

which  I  defired  them  to  make  known  to  the 
Governor  and  chief  Men  of  the  Town;  fa 
they  foon  quelled  the  Noife.  Then  I  told  them. 
That  in  cafe  ive  were  as  erroneous  as  fame  might 
infinuate  ive  ivjcre^  that  ivas  not  the  Way  to  con-- 
'vince  us  of  our  Errors^  neither  to  bring  us  out 
of  thcm^  hut  rather  to  eftahlifh  us  in  them ;  and 
that  njuas  not  the  Way  for  them  to  gain  Profelytes^ 
but  the  Way  to  lofe  many  from  them^  and  increafe 
Diffenters;  for  ii^hat  Convincement  could  there 
be  by  Noife  and  Clamour^  and  Hooting^  as  if  they 
would  fplit  their  own  Lungs  ?  I  had  come  a  great 
Way  to  fee  them^  and  what  Character  could  I  give 
of  them  ?  I  never  thought  to  have  feen  fo  much 
Folly  amongjl  a  ivije  and  religious  People  as  noiv 
I  faiv :  Tell  the  Governor  and  chief  of  the 
ToivUy  what  the  old  Englifliman  faith  \  for  I  am 
ajloamed  of  fuch  Doings.  It  had  a  good  EfFed:, 
for  when  I  came  after,  we  had  quiet  Meetings ; 
and  I  underftood  by  a  Letter  from  Daniel 
Zachary^  of  Bofon^  to  01d<r  England^  that  the 
Governor  faid,  /  was  in  the  right ^  and  ordered 
that  Peace*  fhould  be  kept  in  Friends  Meetings 
there ;  and  I  never  heard  to  the  contrary  but  it 
is  well  yet  as  to  that.  We  have  great  reafon  to 
be  truly  thankful  to  the  Lord  for  thofe,  and  all 
other  his  Mercies,  that  he  the  Fountain  of  all 
Good  is  pleafed  to  favour  us  with:  And- as  an 
Inftance  of  the  Lord's  Mercy  to  many  poor  Suf- 
ferers, and  to  fhew  the  implacable  Envy  of  thefe 
People  to  Friends,  the  Cafe  of  Thomai.  Mdulham 
of  Salem  may  fufhce,  in  fome  meafure,  to  fet  forth 
boch,  who  was  a  great  Sufferer  in  the  Time  of 

hot 


(      78      ) 

hot  Perfecutlon,  when  the  Perfecutors  had  ftrip; 
him  of  almoft  all  he  had ;  their  infatiable  Minds 
not  content  with  th^t>  they  came  with  Axes  and 
hewed  down  all  the  Apple  Trees  in  his  Orchard, 
it  being  a  large  one,  and  left  the  Stumps  about 
the  height  of  a  Man's   Knee,  and,    as  Thomas 
Mciulhaju  faid,    they    took    the  Way   as    they 
thought  to  ruin  him;    but  the  Lord  turned  it 
into  a  Bleffing,  for  the  Trees  grew  to  Admiration, 
and  came  to  bear  Fruit  abundantly,  and  a  finer 
Orchard  I  have  not  ken  in  all  my  Travels,  for 
the  Bignefs  of  it;  let  the  Lord  be  fandlified  by 
all  his  People,  and  admired  by  all  them  that 
believe. 

I  with  feveral  other  Friends  went  from  Salem 
Yearly- meeting  (which  was  a  large  and  good 
Meeting)  towards  Dover^  and  coming  to  a 
River,  I  flaying  a  little  behind,  a  Friend  took 
my  Hof  fe  with  two  more  into  the  Boat,  and  by 
jthat  time  I  came  to  the  Riyer-fide  the  Boat  was 
finking,  and  the  Ferryman  made  a  lamentable 
Cry,  faying.  The  Boat  is  Junk  and  ive  /hall  be 
all  drowned;  altho'  it  was  fo  ordered,  that  there 
was  but  one  Friend  in  the  Boat  with  the  Boat- 
man, and  I  do  not  remember  that  ever  before 
now  my  Horfe  Was  in  any  Boat,  and  I  not 
there ;  which  I  looked  on  as  the  Mercy  of  a 
kind  Providence  to  me,  and  to  feveral  other 
Friends  in  Company.  I  hearing  the  Noife,  as 
before,  (and  alfo  the  flowndering  of  the  Horfes 
when  tumbling  into  the  Water)  called  to  the 
Men,  to  be  fure  to  take  care  to  free  themfelves 
of  all  the  Tackling  of  the  Fiorfes,  (as  Bridles, 

Stirrups, 


(      79      ) 

Stirrups,  <d?'^.)  and  catch  hold  on  my  Horfe's 
Tail,  and  he  would  bring  them  both  alhore; 
but  if  they  trufted  to  the  other  (as  before  men- 
tioned) when  the  Horfes  fwam  they  would  fail 
them,  unlefs  very  ftrong;  and  to  have  them 
hold  by  the  Bridle  was  the  way  to  drown  both 
Horfe  and  Man:  This  Advice  was  gh en  while 
they  had  the  Horfes  in  their  Hands ;  the  Boat- 
man, being  a  lively  Youth,  took  ipy  Advice, 
caught  hold  of  my  Horfe's  Tail,  it  being  long, 
(which  I  ever  approved  of  among  Rivers)  and 
I  calling  to  my  Horfe,  he  came  quickly  with 
the  Man  afhore,  but  left  the  honeft  old  Friend 
Ezekiel  Waring  (to  whofe  Houfe  we  intended 
to  go  that  Night)  in  the  River  floating  to  the 
Neck,  a  hundred  Yards  from  the  Shore  by 
Computation,  yet  watchful  Providence  did  fo 
attend,  that  his  Life  was  preferved  to  a  Wonder; 
for  it  was  fo  ordered,  altho'  he  milfed  taking 
my  Advice,  and  caught  hold  of  his  Stirrup, 
^nd  the  Girth  broke,  as  they  are  apt  to  do  if 
they  be  tight  when  the  Horfe  begins  to  fwim, 
which  brought  off  the  Saddle  and  Pillion,  and 
the  Oar  of  the  Boat,  and  his  Hat,  which  with 
the  Pillion-feat  being  in  his  Arms,  juft  bore  up 
his  Head  above  Water  for  fome  time ;  his  poor 
Wife  feeing  the  Dangqr  to  which  her  Hufband 
was  e^cpofed,  fell  into  a  fainting  Fit;  (there 
being  neither  Houfe,  Man,  or  Boat,  to  be  feen 
on  this  Side  of  the  River,  but  ourfelves,  the 
Boatman,  and  the  Seem  and  Stern  of  the  funk 
Boat  full  of  Water.)  A  Houfe  there  was  on 
the  other  Side  of  the  Pciver,  which  w^as  half  a 

Mile 


(       8o       ) 

Mile  over.  The  Ferryman  did  his  bell  to  get  a 
Boat  or  Cannoe,  and  altho'  it  began  to  be  dark, 
yet  he  found  a  Cannoe,  (which  is  made  of  a 
fine  piece  of  Timber  hollowed  in  the  form  of  a 
Boat,  and  generally  will  carry  but  two  or  three 
or  four  Men;)  he  coming  near,  alked  if  Ezekiel 
ivas  alive  F  I  told  him  he  was,  but  very  weak, 
for  I  had  often  heard  him  blubber  in  the  Water  i 
I  encouraged  him,  that  he  might  not  faint 
in  his  Mind,  for  I  told  him,  /  yet  believed  his 
Life  vuould  he  preferred ;  he  would  very  faintly 
fay,  Unlefs  Help  came^  he  could  not  hold  it  long. 
I  went  on  by  the  Waterfide,  and  laid  me  down 
often  on  the  Land,  not  much  regarding  Wet  or 
Dirt,  fometimes  tumbling  over  Logs  of  Wood 
and  Limbs  of  Trees,  for  fo  it  is  in  thefe  uncul- 
tivated Places:  I  direc^led  the  Man  with  his 
Cannoe  where  the  poor  Friend  was,  as  near  as 
I  could  tell  by  my  lad  Obfervation,  and  withal 
defired  he  would  turn  the  Stern  of  his  Cannoe 
to  him,  as  he  could  not  lift  him  into  the  Can- 
noe; neither  to  let  him  lay  his  Hand  upon  the 
broad  Side  of  it,  but  upon  the  Stern,  left  he 
fliould  overfet  it,  and  you  be  both  drowned  : 
So  he  did,  and  brought  him  gently  afliore,  ta 
the  great  Joy  of  his  loving  Wife  and  us  all. 
The  Boatman,  as  he  owned,  had  found  my 
Counfel  good,  and  therefore  would  have  me 
tell  him  what  he  might  do  now;  I  bid  him 
fetch  the  Bqat  to  fhore  by  the  Fowler  or  Rope, 
and  then  go  and  carry  Ezekiel  in  the  Cannoe  to 
the  Inn  on  the  other  Side  of  the  Water,  that 
he  might  dry,  warm,  and  refreih  himfelf  until 

we 


(      Si       ) 

ft 

we  came;  in  the  mean  time  we  cleared  the 
Boat  of  Water,  which  when  done,  we  put  two 
Horfes  into  it,  and  I  towed  my  Horfe  at  the 
Boat's  Stern  to  make  room  for  feveral,  efpeciaily 
the  good  Women  before  mentioned,  who  were 
at  this  time  in  my  Company,  not  without  their 
Exercife  any  more  than  myfelf :  We  got  v/ell 
over,  and  then  the  Ferryman  and  Friend  on  the 
other  Side  brought  the  Horfes  that  were  left, 
being  three,  which  were  enough  for  the  Boat, 
and  proved  too  many  the  firfl  Time.  We  fcu^^d 
the  good  old  Friend  finely  and  well  recruiter^ 
and  got  to  his  Houfe  about  Midnight,  -whc:^ 
we  were  glad,  and  our  Hearts  were  full  of 
Praifes  to  the  Lord  for  this  great  and  eminent 
Deliverance  and  Prefervation. 

In  this  firfl  Vifit  while  in  Rhode- T/land^  I  met 
with  fomething  worthy  of  thy  Notice,  if  thou 
art  fuch  a  Reader  as  I  wifh  thou  mayft,  which 
was  thus :  Being  in  Rhode- IJl and ^  feveral  Friends 
came  to  me  in  fome  of  the  Intervals  of  the 
Yearly-meeting,  (for  it  held  feveral  Days,  boclj^ 
for  Worfhip  and  Difcipline)  to  enquire  whether 
it  Wc^  ufual  to  let  the  Young,  and  fuch  as  had 
but  appeared  little  in  Teftimony  in  our  Parts 
of  the  World,  come  into  Meetings  of  public 
Friends  ?  I  faid,.i2^<fj,  if  they  were  of  clean  Lives^ 
and  what  they  had  to  fay^  approued ;  and  it  was 
'very  like,  fuch  might  ivant  Advice  as  much  as  thofe 
ivho  ivere  come  to  more  Experience  in  the  Work  of 
the  Miniflry^  if  not  more :  This  was  fome  means 
of  enlarging  the  faid  Meetings  of  Minifters  now 
coining  on.     When  I  came  into  the  Meetings 

!  feveral 


(       82       ) 

fev^ral  of  the  Elders  defired  me  to  go  into  the 
Gallery,  which  I  refufed,  the  Concern  upon  my 
Mind  being  fo  great,  I  thought  it  was  enough 
that  I  couid  but  get  into  the  Houfe,  and  fit 
down  among  the  lowed  Rank. 

This  Meeting  was  one  not  to  be  forgotten, 
becaufe  of  the  eminent  Vification  from  the  Lord 
that  was  upon  us  in  it ;  I  have  not  often  fecn 
the  lik^;  I  queftion  if  there  were  any  dry 
Cheeks  for  fome  time  in  it;  and  the  manner  of 
the  working  of  the  heavenly  Power  was  re- 
markable, in  order  to  the  fandlifying  and  pre- 
paring VelTels  for  the  Lord's  Ufe ;  and  he  broke 
us  down  by  his  Judgments  from  following 
flattering  Flefh,  and  the  pleafing  Vanities  of  the 
World,  and  the  fubtil  Raits  of  Satan,  by  the 
Tenders  of  his  Love,  and  engaged  us  to  follow 
his  heavenly  and  inward  Calls,  Knocks,  and 
Reproofs  of  his  holy  Spirit,  and  to  obey  the 
Didlates  of  the  fame.  When  the  Lord  prepares 
in  a  good  degree  for  this  Work  of  the  Miniftry, 
many  have  been  unwilling  to  give  up  and  obey, 
until  they  have  tafted  of  the  Lord's  Difpleafure, 
and  in  part  of  his  Judgments,  Which  have 
brought  them  into  a  SubmrlTion;  after  which 
they  went  out  with  their  Lives  fometimes  in  their 
Hands,  and  became  a  Wonder  to  Men,  bearing 
their  Reproach,  and  fometimes  appeared  in  great 
Congregations,  fometimes  in  Noifes  and  Tu- 
mults, and  fometimes  were  in  Watchings  and 
Fadings,  in  Wearinefs,  Hunger  and  in  Cold, 
with  much  more,  for  the  Name  of  the  Lord 
and    his    Teftimony,    and  for  the  Enjoymqt^t 


,       i   ^3   ) 

b£  Peace,  and  the  internal  Prefence  of  him  that 
hath  feparated  us  to  this  Work  by  the  holy 
Ghoft;  and  it  is  in  and  by  our  abiding  faithful 
to  the  fame,  that  we  are  preferred  in  a  Capacity 
of  Perfeverance  through  all  to  the  End,  to  the 
mutual  Help  and  Comfort  one  of  another,  and 
Renown  of  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  who  is 
worthy  now  and  for  ever. 

We  alfo  had  a  very  large  Meeting  on  this 
Ifland  in  an  Orchard,  where  I  had  good  Servioe 
for  the  Lord ;  and  I  remember  I  was  much  con- 
cerned about  the  two  Miniftrations,  'uiz.  Johns 
Baptifm  with  Water^  and  Christ's  with  xhthaly 
Ghoji^  it  being  clear  from  Johns  Words,  that  he 
faw  to  the  End  of  his  own  Difpenfation  when  he 
declared,  he  muji  decreqfe^  but  Christ  nmji  in- 
treafe:  which  is  generally  underftood  to  refpedl 
their  differing  Difpenfations ;  for  the  firft  Bap- 
tifm was  to  baptize  unto  Repentance^  the  other  to 
the  purging  of  the  Floor ^  and  burning  up  of  that 
%vhlch  %vas  combuflble^  viz,  the  Chaff  and  Stubble, 
which  the  Lord's  Baptifrri  burneth  up  inwardly, 
and  which  no  elementary  thing  can  do;  for  if  all 
the  Eatings,  Wafhings,  Obfervations,  and  Cere- 
monies under  the  Law,  although  to  Ifrael  com- 
manded and  enjoined  by  the  Lord,  could  not 
make  the  Comers  thereunto  perfe^^  how  fliould 
thefe  or  any  of  them  now,  v/hen  not  command- 
ed, as  they  never  were  to  us,  perfect  the  Gentile 
World?  So  what  I  had  upon  my  Mind,  as  I 
received  I  went  through  with,  and  ihewed  the 
Beginning,  Ufe  and  End  of  the  Watery  Difpenfa- 
tion, and  the  Ufe  and  Contiiuianee  of  Christ's 

M  Iciritual 


(      84      ) 

fpiritual  Baptifm  to  the  End  of  the  World.  Thef 
Meeting  broke  up,  and  Friends  went  into  an  up- 
per Room  in  an  Inn;  but  I  felt  fuch  anExercife 
upon  my  Spirit  that  I  could  not  eat,  but  defired 
Friends  to  be  eafy,  and  I  would  eat  as  foon  as 
I  could;  and  while  I  was  walking  over  the 
large  Chamber  alone,  there  came  up  three  Men 
whom  I  knew  not,  or  what  they  were,  but  it 
fprang  livingly  in  my  Fleart  to  fet  my  Eyes  on 
them  in  the  Lord's  Dread,  and  fo  I  did ;  they 
palled  away,  and  I  was  told  afterwards,  that 
they  were  three  Baptijl  Preachers  who  had  been 
at  the  Meeting,  and  came  once  more  to  fee 
me,  with  a  Defign  to  have  a  Difpute  with  me; 
hut^  they  faid,  /  looked  fo  Jloarply  they  durjl  not 
meddle  'with  me:  Thus  the  Lord  in  a  good 
degree  wrought  for  me,  blefTed  be  his  worthy 
Name  for  ever. 

Now  I  leave  the  Account  of  my  Travels  in 
thofe  Parts,  and  enter  upon  my  fecond,  with 
my  honeft  Companion  'James  Bates ^  who  was 
born  in  Virginia^  and  travelled  much  with  me 
through  many  Provinces,  and  fome  Iflands ; 
we  had  good  Service  together,  and  it  was  much 
with  me,  when  on  Rhode-IJland^  to  vifit  Nan- 
tucket ^  where  there  were  but  very  few  Friends ; 
Peleg  Sloctim^  an  honeft  public  Friend  near 
Rhode-Iftand^  intending  to  carry  us  in  his 
Sloop  to  the  faid  Ifland  that  Night ;  and  Peleg 
thought  we  had  been  clofe  in  with  our  defired 
landing  Place,  but  we  fell  fhort,  and  Nighty 
coming  on,  and  having  but  one  fmall  Cannoe 
to  help  us  afliore,  which  would  carry  but  three 

People 


(      85      ) 

people  at  once,  we  went  afliore  at  twice,  and 
left  the  Sloop  at  an  Anchor;  and  it  being 
grown  dark,  we  thought  we  were  going  up 
into  the  Ifland  among  the  Inhabitants,  but 
foon  found  that  we  were  upon  a  Beach  of  Sand 
and  Rubbift,  where  was  neither  Grafs  nor  Tree, 
neither  could  we  find  the  Sloop  that  Night, 
though  we  fought  it  carefully,  and  hollowed 
one  to  another  till  we  were  weary,  fo  that  we 
were  forced  to  fettle  upon  our  little  Ifland, 
from  the  Centre  of  which,  one  might  caft  a 
Stone  into  the  Sea  on  every  Side;  here  we 
ftaid  that  Night,  not  knowing  but  the  Sea, 
W'hen  at  the  Height,  would  have  fwept  us 
all  away,  but  it  did  not ;  there  I  walked,  and 
fometimes  fat,  until  Morning,  but  flept  none^ 
^t  lall  the  Morning  came,  and  the  .Mift  went 
away,  and  we  got  on  Board  again,  and  reached 
the  Ifland  about  the  ninth  or  tenth  Hour. 

The  Mafter  was  willing,  at  our  Requeft,  to 
land  three  of  vis,  fi.  e.)  me,  my  Companion, 
and  Sufanna  Freborn^  a  public  Friend,  w^ho 
had  ^  Concern  upon  her  Mind  for  fome  Time, 
(as  {he  fignified  to  Friends  in  Rhode-IJland  where 
Ihe  lived)  to  vifit  the  few  Friends  in  Nantucket^ 
and  Friends  thought  this  a  proper  Seafon  to  pay- 
that  Vifit.  She  was  a  Woman  well  beloved, 
and  in  good  Unity  with  Friends. 

We  landed  fafe,  and  as  we  went  up  an  Afcent, 
we  faw  a  great  many  People  looking  towards 
the  Sea,  for  great  Fear  had  poflTefied  them,  that 
our  Sloop  was  a  French  Sloop  loaded  with  Men 
sud  Arms,    who  vyere  coming  to  invade  the 

Ifland  ; 


(       86       ) 

Ifland:  I  held  out  my  Arms  and  told  them, 
/  kneiv  not  of  any  ivorjh  Arms  than  thefe  on 
board.  They  faid,  they  were  glad  it  was  no 
worfe,  for  they  had  intended  to  have  alarmed 
the  liland,  it  being  a  time  of  War:  I  told  thq 
good  like  People,  for  fo  they  appeared  to  me, 
that  Peleg  Slocum^  near  Rhode- I/land^  was 
Mafter  of  the  Sloop,  and  that  we  came  to  vifit 
them  in  the  Love  of  God,  if  they  would  be 
willing  to  let  us  have  fome  Meetings  amongil 
them.  They  behaved  themfelves  very  cour- 
teoufly  towards  us,  and  faid,  they  thought  we. 
might. 

We  then  enquired  for  Nathaniel  Starbiick^ 
who  we  underftood  y;ras  in  fbme  degree  con- 
vinced of  the  Truth,  and  having  Directions  to 
his  Houfe,  we  went  thither,  and  I  told  him, 
We  made  bold  to  come  to  his  Houfe ^  and  if  he  nvas 
free  to  receive  us^  we  ivould  flay  a  little  ivith 
him^  but  if  notj  ive  would  go  clfcwhere;  for  ive 
heard  he  was  a  fee  king  religious  Man^  and  fuch 
chiefly  we  were  come  to  njiftt:  He  faid,  we  ivere 
'very  welcome.  And  by  this  time  came  in  his 
Mother  Mary  Starbuck,  v/ho  the  Iflanders 
edeemed  as  a  Judge  among  them,  for  little  of 
Moment  was  done  there  without  her,  as  I 
underftood. 

At  the  firft  Sight  of  her  it  fprang  in  my 
Heart,  To  this  Woinan  is  the  everlafiing  Love 
of  God.  '  I  looked  upon  her  as  a  Woman  that 
bore  fome  Sw;ay  in  the  Ifland,  and  fo  I  faid, 
and  that  truly,  ive  are  come  in  the  Love  of 
God   to   vifit  yoUy    if  you  are  vuilling  to  let  us 

have 


(      87      ) 

have  fome  Meetings  among  you:  She  fald,  J}je 
thought  ive  might ;  and  withal  faid,  there  ivas  a 
Non-conformill  Minijier  ivho  was  to ,  have  a 
Meetings  and  they  ivere  going  to  ity  and  Jhe 
thought  it  ivould  be  the  beji  way  for  us  to  go  with 
them  to  the  Meeting.  I  fhewed  my  Diflike  to 
that  for  thefe  Realbns ;  /r/?,  we  did  not  want 
to  hear  what  that  Minifter  had  to  fay,  becaufe 
ibme  of  us  had  tried  them  before  we  came 
there,  (meaning  the  Npn-conformifts  of  feveraj 
forts)  and  ii  we  fhould  go,  and  could  not  be 
clear  without  fpeaking  fomething  in  the  Meeting, 
he  might  take  it  ill;  but  as  we  underftand  there 
is  another  Meeting  appointed  at  the  fecond 
Hour  for  the  fame  Man,  therefore,  as  the  pre- 
fent  Conftitution  of  Things  are,  we  look  upon, 
oarfelves  to  (land  upon  an  equal  Ground 
in  a  religious  Capacity  with  other  Dijfenters; 
and  if  we  flipuld  appoint  our  Meeting  at  the 
fame  Hour,  then  the  People  will  be  left  to 
their  Choice  tq  which  Meeting  they  will  go. 
The  great  Woman  approved  of  the  Propoial, 
and  laid,  indeed  that  zvas  the  hejl  Way,  The 
next  Confideration  was,  where  Jh all  the  Meet- 
ing be?  ^\it  paufed  a  while,  and  then  faid,  i 
think  at  our  Houje,  I  from  thence  gathered 
the  had  an  Hufband,  for  I  thought  the  Word 
our  carried  in  it  fome  Power  befides  her  own, 
and  1  prefently  found  he  was  with  us ;  I 
then  made  my  Obfervation  on  him.,  and  he 
appeared  not  a  Man  of  mean  Parts,  but 
fhe  fo  far  exceeded  him  in  foundnefs  of 
Judgment,    glearnefs    of   Vnd^rftanding,    and 

an 


(       88       ) 

an  elegant  way  of  expreffing  herfelf,  and  that 
not  in  an  afTeded  Strain,  but  very  natural  to 
her,  that  it  tended  to  leffen  the  Qualifications 
of  her  Hufband. 

The  Meeting  being  agreed  on,  and  Care  taken 
as  to  the  Appointment  of  it,  we  parted,  and  I 
lay  down  to  try  if  1  could  get  any  Sleep,  for  I 
have  fhewed  before  what  fort  of  a  Night  the  laft 
was  with  us ;  buc  Seep  vaniflied  away  from 
me,  and  I  got  up  and  walked  to  and  fro  in 
the  Woods  until  the  Meeting  was  moftly  ga- 
thered. I  was  under  a  very  great  Load  in  my 
Spirit,  but  the  Occafion  of  it  was  hid  from  me, 
but  I  faw  it  my  place  to  go  to  Meeting,  the 
Order  of  which  was  fuch,  in  all  the  Parts  thereof, 
I  had  not  {c^a  the  like  before  ;  the  large  and 
bright  rubbed  Room  was  fet  with  fuitable  Seats 
or  Chairs,  the  Glafs  Windows  taken  out  of  the 
Frames,  and  many  Chairs  placed  without  very 
conveniently,  fo  that  I  did  not  fee  any  thing 
awanting,  according  to  the  Place,  but  fomething 
to  fland  on,  for  I  was  not  free  to  fet  my  Feet 
upon  the  tine  Cane  Chair,  left  I  fhould  break  it, 

I  am  the  more  particular  in  this  exacft  and 
exemplary  Order  thail  in  fome  other  Things, 
for  the  Seats  both  within  and  without  Doors 
were  fo  placed,  that  the  Faces  of  the  People 
were  towards  the  Seats  where  the  public 
Friends  fat,  and  when  fo  fet,  they  did  not  look 
or  gaze  in  our  Faces,  as  fome  I  think  are  too 
apt  to  do,  which  in  my  Thoughts  befpeaks  an 
unconcerned  Mind:  The  Meeting  being  thus 
gathered  and  let  down  in  this  orderly  and  ample 

manner, 


(89      ) 

manner,  (although  there  were  but  very  few 
bearing  our  Name  in  it)  it  was  not  long  before 
the  mighty  Power  of  th^  Lord  began  to  work, 
and  in  it  my  Companion  efpecially  did  appear 
in  Teftimony  in  the  fore  Part  thereof;  and 
while  he  was  fpeaking,  a  Pried  (not  him  before 
touched  on,  but  another)  flamg  out  fome  Re- 
fleclions  upon  him,  and  the  People  for  his  fake, 
which  I  did  not  fee  the  leaft  Occafion  for;  after 
which  he  went  away,  (but  more  of  this  in  the 
Sequel.) 

I  fat  a  confiderable  Time  in  the  Meeting  be- 
fore I  could  fee  my  Way  clear  to  fay  any  thing, 
until  the  Lord's  heavenly  Power  raifed  me,  and 
fet  me  upon  my  Feet  as  if  one  had  lifted  n::^ 
up,  and  what  I  had  firfl  in  commifTion  to  fpeak, 
was  in  the  Words  of  Chrift  te  Nicodemus^  viz. 
Except  a  Man  he  horn  again^  he  cannot  jes  the 
Kingdom  of  God;  with  thefe  Words,  Nay^  the 
natural  and  unregenerate  Man  cannot  fo  much  as 
fee  the  heavenly  and  fpiritual  Kingdom  of  Chrifl^ 
ivhich  flands  not  only  in  Poiver^  hut  alfo  in  Rigb- 
teoifnefs^  Joy  and  Peace  in  the  holy  Spirit  \  and 
to  he  horn  again^  ivas  not  to  be  done  unperceivably^ 
no  more  than  the  natural  Birth  could  be  brought 
forth  without  Trouble;  and  to  pretend  to  be  in 
Chrijl  and  not  to  be  neiv  Creatures^  is  pTepo/lerous ; 
and  to  pretend  to  be  neiv  Creatures^  and  yet  not 
able  to  render  any  Account  hoiv  it  ivas  performed^ 
ijuas  unreafonable ;  for  it  could  not  be^  as  I  urged 
before,  ivithout  our  Knoiv ledge ;  for  to  he  born 
again^  fgnified  to  be  quickened  and  raifed  into  a 
fpiritual  and  neiv    Life^    by   ivhich  the  Body  of 

ths 


(       9i      1 

the  Sins  of  the  Fle/h  is  mojtified^  and  ive  come  to  live 
a  /elf-denying  Life:  Thoje  ivho  are  crucified  with 
Chrifiy  they  are  crucified  to  their  Sins^  that  as  he 
died  fior  Sin^  ive  might  die  to  Sin :  In  this  State 
we  liixe  not  after  the  Flefh^  although  ive  li'^je  (as 
the  Apollle  faid)  in  the  Fleflj;  but  the  Life 
tvhich  thtfe  live^  is  through  Faith  in  the  Son 
of  God:  And  to  have  all  this^  and  much  more 
wrought  in  us^  and  ive  know  nothing  of  it^  is 
tinac  count  able . 

As  I  was  thus  opened,  and  delivering  thefe 
Things,  with  much  more  than  I  can  remember, 
the  great  Woman  I  felt,  for  mod  of  an  Hour 
together,  fought  and  ftrove  againft  the  Tefli- 
mony,  fon^times  looking  up  in  my  Face  with 
a  pale,  and  then  -with  a  more  ruddy  Com- 
plexion; but  the  Strength  of  the  Truth  in-  \ 
creafed,  and  the  Lord's  mighty  Power  began 
to  fliake  the  People  within  and  without  Doors ; 
but  fhe  who  was  looked  upon  as  a  Deborah  by 
thefe  People,  was  loth  to  lofe  her  outfide  Reli- 
gion, or  the  Appearance  thereof:  When  fhe 
could  no  longer  contain,  flie  fubmitted  to  the 
Power  of  Truth,  and  the  DoiJIrines  thereof, 
and  lifted  up  her  Voice  and  wept:  Oh!  then 
the  viniverfal  Cry  and  Brokennefs  of  Heart  and 
Tears  was  wonderful!  From  this  Time  I  do 
not  remember  one  Word  that  I  fpoke  in  Tefti- 
mony,  it  was  enough  that  I  could  keep  upoii 
the  true  Bottom,  and  not  be  carried  away  with 
the  Stream  above  my  Meafure. 

I   might    add   much    more    concerning   this 
Day's  Work,  but  I  intend  not  to  fay  any  thing 

to 


(       9i       i 

to  the  Praife  of  the  Creature,  but  to  the  Renowri 
of  the  mighty  Name  of  the  Lord  of  Hofts,  and 
let  all  Flefli  lie  as  in  the  Dufl  for  ever;  for 
while  I  continued  fpeaking  in  this  State,  as  be- 
fore-mentioned, and  thus  fvvallowed  up  in  rhe 
internal  Prefence  of  Chrift,  where  there  was  no 
want  of  Power,  Wifdom  not*  Utterance,  I  Ipoke 
but  a  Sentence  and  ftopt,  and  fo  on  for  fom^ 
Time:  I -have  fince  thought  of  Johns  being  la 
the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  Day.  If  it  had  been  a 
State  to  have  been  continued  in,  I  am  of  the  mind, 
I  fhould  not  have  been  fenfible  of  Wearinefsj 
neither  of  Hunger  or  Pain*  This  is  a  Myfter\ 
to  many,  yet  thefe  are  faithful  and  true  Sayings, 
thou  mayft  read  that  canll ;  but  there  are  none 
who  can  know  the  ivhite  StoHe  and  new  Name^ 
but  they  who  have  it ;  there  are  none  who  (land 
upon  Mount  Sion  "with  Harps  of  God  in  their 
Hands ^  but  only  fuch  as  have  come  through  great 
Tribulations^  and  have  wajloed  their  Garments  and 
made  them  white  in  the  Blood  of  the  Lamb;  to 
thefe  are  the  Seals  of  the  Book  of  the  Myjleries  of 
the  glorious  Kingdom  opened;  thefe  are  called  oui 
of  Nations-;^  Kindreds^  Tongues  and  People \  thete 
are  redeemed  out  of  the  fallen  and  Cclrthly  State 
of  old  Adam,  into  the  livings  heavenly  and  ipiri- 
tual  State  in  Chrifl  the  fecond  Adam ;  thele  cry 
"holy^  the  other  Part  of  the  Children  of  Men 
cry  unholy^  becaufe  they  are  not  willing  to  ca/i 
doivfi  their  Croztms  at  the  Feet  or  Appearance  of 
Chrifl  in  their  own  Souls;  altho'  fuch,  with  »-'ie 
fbur  Beads  may  cry,  come  and  fee^  yet  are  they 
nor  prooerly  qualiiied  to  worflnp  the  Lord  God  and. 

N  the 


(      9=      ) 


the  Lamh  before  his  Throne^  as  the  four  an 
twenty  Elders  did,  and  as  all  do,  and  will  do, 
who  worlliip  God  in  his  holy  Temple  in  Spirit 
and  in  Truth,  according  to  his  own  Appoint- 
ment ;  who  are  not  tied  up  to  the  Canons, 
Creeds,  Syftems  and  DiclHiates  of  Men,  much 
of  which  is  beaten  out  of  the  Wifdom,  Parts, 
and  natural  Comprehenlion  of  eartjily  fallen 
Man. 

I  return  from  this,  which  may  feem  a  myfte- 
rious  Digreffion,  to  the  other  Part  of  what  did 
happen  concerning  the  Meeting,  and  come  now 
to  the  breaking  up  thereof ;  and  as  extreme 
Heats  oft  end  in  extreme  Cold,  and  as  great 
Heights  frequently  center  (as  to  Man  in  this 
Capacity)  in  great  Depths,  and  great  Plenty  in 
great  Poverty,  which  I  have  often  itan  to  be 
good  in  order  to  keep  the  Creature  low,  in  Fear, 
and  in  a  Dependence  upon  the  Lord,  I  foon  fell 
into  fuch  a  Condition  that  I  was  like  to  die 
auuay ;  and  when  it  was  fo,  I  with  my  Com- 
panion made  a  Motion  to  break  up  the  Meet- 
ing, but  could  not  for  fome  time,  for  they  fat 
weeping  univerfally ;  then  1  told  the  Meeting, 
efpccially  fuch  as  were  near  me,  that  ij  I  fbould 
farrit  azvajy  I  would  not  have  them  to  be  fur- 
prized  at  it  \  for  I  was  much  concerned  left  that 
fliould  hurt  thefe  tender  People  ;  my  Life  was 
not  dear  to  me  in  comparlion  of  the  Worth  of 
the  Souls  of  the  Children  of  Men  ;  but  all  this 
did  not  break  up  the  Meeting :  But  after  fome 
time  Ma?y  Starbuck  flood  up,  and  held  out  licr 
Handj  and  fpoke  tremblingly  and  faid.  All  that 

ever 


M 


(       93       )  ^ 

jS^ver  ive  have  been  buildings  and  all  that  ever  we 
have  done ^  is  all  pulled  dozvn  this  Day  ^  and  this 
is  the  everlafting  Truth  ;  or  very  near  thefe 
Words.  Then  ilie  arofe,  and  I  obferved  that 
flie,  and  as  many  as  could  well  be  feen,  were 
wet  with  Tears  from  their  Faces  to  the  fore 
flcirts  of  their  Garments,  and  the  Floor  was  as 
though  there  had  been  a  Shower  of  Rain  upon 
it;  but  Mary^  that  worthy  Woman,  faid  to  me, 
when  a  little  come  to^confider  the  poor  Stat^ 
that  I  was  in,  Dear  Child^  vuhat  Jl:mU  1  do  for 
you  ?  I  faid,  a  little  w^ould  dp  for  me ;  if  thou 
canft  get  me  fomething  to  drink  that  is  not 
fcrong  but  rather  warm,  it  may  do  well :  So 
fhe  did,  and  I  went  unto  her  Son's,  where  my 
Cloaths  were,  that  I  might  fiiift  me,  for  I  fek 
Sweat  in  my  Shoes  as  I  walked. 

I  mention  this  partly  for  t4ie  fakes  of  fuch  of 
my  Brethren,  who  may  be  at  any  time  in  the 
like  Cafe,  to  take  care  to  keep  out  of  the  Gold, 
and  beware  of  drinking  that  which  is  cold, 
neither  is  Brandy  good,  for  it  feeds  too  much 
upon  the  weakned  Vitals  ;  but  in  all  Things  en- 
deavour to  poflefs  your  Veffels  in  San6lification 
and  Honour :  And  as  it  is  not  in  Man's  Power- 
to  make  the  Veflel  clean  nor  prepare  it,  there- 
fore if  the  Lord  doth  (with  thy  Obedience 
through  the  Work  of  his  Grace  and  holy  Spirit) 
fit  thy  VelTcl  for  his  Work  and  Service,  take 
this  Caution ;  fee  that  thou  neither  dejiroy^  dejiky 
nor  hurt  the  fame.  But  it  may  be,  fome  or  other 
have  done  all  thefe,  fome  one  v/ay  and  fo-me 
another, 

I  remember- 


*  (      94      ) 

I  remember  Peleg  Slocum  ( before  menti- 
oned) laid  after  this  Meeting,  that  the  Hke 
he  was  never  at ;  for  he  thought  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Ifland  were  fliaken,  and  moft  of 
the  People  convinced  of  the  Truth :  Hqwever, 
«i  great  Convincement  there  was  that  Day, 
Mary  Starbuck  was  one  of  the  Number,  and 
in  a  fliort  time  after  received  a  pubhc  Telli- 
mony,  as  did  alfo  her  Son  Nathaniel. 

After  i  was  fqmewhat  revived,  my  Compa- 
nion having  a  Mind  to  fpeak  to  the  Prleft,  to  know 
why  he  did  fo  refledl  on  him,    defired  me  to  gq 
with  him,    which  1  did  with  feveral  more,  and 
coming  to  his  Door  where  he  was   fee  upon  a 
Bench,   James   Bates  aflced  him,  why   be  did  fo 
rejiecl?  He  repHed,  he  was  in  a  Pajfton^  and  had 
nothing  again/1   him ;  then  James  forgave  him, 
and  they  fell  into  fpme Debate  concerning  Fcathy 
my  Friend  urged  the  Apoftle   James's  Words, 
which   are  thefe,    As  the  Body  is  dead  without 
the   Spirit^  fo   is    Faith    without    Works,      The 
Priefl  faid,  Dead  Faith   was  7iotbing^    and  tha^ 
it  had  no  Being  in  the  World,     I  thought  he  ap- 
peared to  be  in  the  Craft ;  and  after  they  had 
tugged  at  it  a  while,  I  faid^  I  found  fome  thing  in 
my    Mi'fid  to  interpofe^    if  they  ivQuld  hear  me; 
they  both  fhewed  a  Willingnefs  to  hear  what  1 
liad  to  fay,  and  then  I  afked,    ivhat  Belief  or 
Faith   that  was  the  Devils    had?,   for  I  did  not 
underfand^  but  that  although  thiy  believed  there 
'was  a  God^  they  remained  Devils  fill ;  therefore, 
the  Word  dead  is  a  proper  Word^    and  properly 
adapted  to  that  which  any   may  call  faith  and  is 


1 


(       95       ) 

m^  operattvey  hut  a  Notion  that  may  be  received 
fyy  Education^  by  hearing  or  readings  and  not  that 
Faith  which  works  by  Lqvc,  and  overcomes  the 
World;  and  becaufe  of  its  not  zvorkingy  being 
jnaiiive  and  ufelefs^  is  fitly  called  dead:  What 
dojl  thou  lay  to  that?  He  faid,  I  was  too  great 
a  Scholar  for  hiip,  I  replied,  there  ivas  no 
great  Scholarjfhip  in  that.  He  then  invited 
me  to  ftay  all  Night,  and  fiiid  I  fliould  be 
as  welcome  as  his  own  Children,  and  he  and 
I  would  difpvite  about  that  between  ourfelves. 
I  declined  it  and  fliewed  thefe  Reafons  for  fq 
doing;  Jf  he  declined  the  Debate  publicly, 
/  would  not  debate  it  privately,  for  then  thefe 
Neighbours  of  his  ivould  ivant  the  Benefit  of  it ; 
and  fo  we  parted,  with  my  faying,  as  it  imme- 
diately fprang  up  in  my  Heart,  Thou  hafi  been 
a  Man  in  fky  young  Tears  that  the  Lord  has 
been  near^  and  favoured  ivith  many  Openings^ 
and  if  thou  hadfi  been  jaithful  to  the  Gift  of  God^ 
thou  might  eft  have  been  ferviceable^  but  thou  haft 
been  unfaithful^  and  a  Cloud  is  come  over  thee^  and 
thou  art  laid  aftde  as  ufelefs. 

I  was  altqgether  a  Stranger  to  the  State  of 
the  Prieft,  nor  had  I  heard  any  thing  of 
him,  nor  indeed  qf  the  State  of  the  Inhabitants 
pf  the  liland,  but  wh^t  I  heard  after  moftly 
from  Mary  Starbuck\  for  as  we  walked  from 
the  Prieft'?  Houfe  towards  our  Quarters,  Ihe 
faid.  Every  thing  fhe  now  met  with^  did  confirm 
her  in  the  Truths  for  fhe  knezv  this  ivas  the  Slate 
pf  the  Prieft^  as  I  had  faid,  fhe  being  acquaint- 
f d  with  him  in  his  beft  Spate,  and  then  he  had 

fine 


(       96      ) 

fine  Openings,    and  a  living   Miniftry  among 
them,  but  of  late  a  Cloud  was  come  over  him, 
and,  as  I  faid,  he  ivas  laid  by  and  ufelefs.     She 
alfo  put  me  in  mind  of  fomething  I  had  faid  in 
the  Meeting  about  Eleclion^  wdiich  as  near  as  I 
can  remember  was  thus :  I  had  endeavoured  to 
make  one  in  the   Ele^ion^    and    one  born  again^ 
much  the  fame ;    for  I  had  laid  wafte  all  claim 
to   EleSlion   without   being    born   again-,    for    as 
Chrift  w^as  the  Cho/en  or  Ekil  of  God ^  who  never 
fell,  could   fuch  who  were  in  the  Fall   be  the 
Branches  of  Chrift,  the    pure  heavenly  Vine  ? 
Or  fuch  who  were  found  in   the  impure  State, 
and  in  the  Degeneracy,  by   reafon  of  Sin  and 
wicked  Works  ?     Or  would  Chrift  be  married 
to  a  People,  and  become  as  their  Huft3and,  who 
were  in   an  unconverted  State  ?    Could  this  be 
the   true    Church    of  Chrift  ?     Could   this    be 
the  Lamb's  Bride,   who  had  departed  from  this 
Spirit,  and  was  in  the  Pollutions  of  the  World 
through  Luft,  and  running  after   the  Pleafures 
and    Fineries  of  the    World,     depending  upon 
Ceremonies,  and  outfide  Things  and  Elements, 
which  appear  not  to  be  effeiit'iai  to  our  Salvation, 
neither  do  we  find  Life  in  tiiem,  nor  Conver- 
fion    through    them  ?     I    was   of  the   Apoftle's 
Mind,    that  neither  Circumcifton  nor    Uncircum- 
cifion   availeth  any    things     but  a  neuo  Creature  : 
And  what    Man    in    the  World  can    fay,  that 
JVater    (although  he  may  have  been  baptized  or 
dipped  into    the    fame)  hath   converted  him^  or 
changed  his  State  from  a  natural  to  a  fpiritual, 
or  from  a  dead  to  a  living  State  in  Chrift  ?  Or, 

whq 


(       97      ) 

who  that  have  gone  through  the  moft  celebrated 
Ceremonies  (as  fome  may  account  them)  had 
thereby  got  Dominion  over  Sin  and  Satan  ? 

Having  thus  treated  of  Things,  or  to  this 
purpofe,  among  them,  I  faid  to  Mary^  x\\2Xjhe 
warred  and  Jlrove  againjl  the  TeJli7nony  for  a 
time :  And  as  near  as  I  remember,  flie  faid  their 
Principle  was,  That  fuch  ivho  helie%ied  once  in 
Chriji^  ivere  ahvays  in  him^  ^without  Pqffthility  of 
falling  away ;  and  ivhom  he  had  once  lovedy  he 
loved  to  the  End:  And  it  was  a  Diflinciion  they 
had  given  to  their  Church,  to  be  called  EleSla- 
rians  \  and  as  I  faid,  or  near  it^fhe  had  no  7nind 
to  be  pulled  out  of  her  flrong  Hold.  But  when 
fhe  faw  the  Glory  of  Chrift,  and  the  true 
Church,  as  the  Queen  of  the  South  faw  Solomon  s 
and  the  Glory  of  his  Houfe ;  and  as  fhe  had 
her  Queftions  and  Doubts  anfwered,  jloe  had  no 
more  Spirit  in  her^  or  Doubts  or  Queftions,  but 
openly  owned.  This  is  the  Truth ^  this  is  the  Glory 
I  have  heard  Jo  much  of:  That  Spirit  of  doubting 
and  quefhioning  was  fwal lowed  up  now,  by  her 
hearing  and  beholdiiigfor  herfelf  this  greater  than 
Solomon^  his  WifdOTpand  Glory,  and  the  great 
Houfe  that  he  had  miilt  (the  Servants,  the  At- 
tendance, and  excellent  Order,  with  the  Afcent 
unto  the  Houfe  of  God,  which  were  all  Vvonder- 
ful  in  Solomon  s  Houfe,  carried  in  them  a  lively  Re~ 
femblance  of  Chrift,  his  Power,  Glorvand  Wif- 
dom)  as  alfo  that  Order  and  Mean  which  is  ^ttvi 
among  his  faithful  Servants,  his  Church  and  Peo- 
ple, even  fuch  as  ourfpiritual  Solomon  rules  in  and 
over  by  his  Spirit  and  Power.     Here  is  Solomon^ 


(       9^      ) 

or  Min  of  Pcace^  elfewhere  called  the  Prince  of 
Peace ;  aad  ;is  Solomon  ruled  in  Jerujakm^  for- 
merly called  Salcm^  of  City  of  Peace ^  and  indeed 
over  all  Judah^  and  over  all  his  Tribes,  fo  dotli 
Chriftin  his  Kingdom  every  v^^here  iipdn  the  Face 
of  the  whole  Earth.  Learn  th^s,  fee  and  know- 
in  and  for  thyfelf,  that  thou  art  truly  tranflated 
out  of  the  Kingdom  of  De^th  and  Darknefs  into 
the  Kingdom  of  Chrift,  which  is  a  Kingdom  of 
Power,  Life,  Light,  Peace  and  Joy  in  the  holy 
Ghoft.  I  was  much  bowed  down  in  my  Spirit^ 
and  in  Weaknefs,  Fading,  and  in  much  Fear; 
for  the  more  that  Truth  appear^,  the  more  i6 
brings  the  Creature  into  Self-abafement. 

A  PafTage  is  here  revived  to  toy  Mind,  which 
was  thus:  After  a  large  Yearly-meeting,  where 
were  many  able  Miilifters,  one  of  whom  was 
worthy  William  Penn,  who  taking  me  afide 
after  the  Meeting,  faid,  The  main  Part  of  the 
Service  of  this  Days  Work  ivent  on  thy  ftde^  and 
we  fa%v  it^  and  ivere  iviiling  and  eafy  to  give 
ivay  to  the  Truths  though  it  ivas  through  thec;^ 
kvho  appears  hut  like  a  Skrub  ;  and  it  is  but 
^eajoncible  the  Lord  fhoulc^niake  ufe  of  "whom  he 
flea(es :  Nozo,  vtethinks^  thou  mayjl  he  cheerful. 
From  which  I  gathered,  that  he  thought  I  was 
too  m.uch  inclinable  to  be  caft  down;  therefore 
I  gave  him  this  true  Anfwer,  /  endeavour  td 
keep  in  a  Medium^  out  of  all  Extree?ns^  as  heliev^ 
i'fig  it  to  he  mofl  agree a'ble  to  my  Station ;  with 
this  Remark^  the  vjorff  of  my  Jmes  rather  im- 
littered  the  heft  to  me:  William'  jQiook  his 
Head,    and  faid  with  much  Refpe('^,  There  are 

w.ariy 


(       99      )     • 

many  whojieer  in  this  Courfe  be  fides  thee^  and  it 
is  the  fafeji  Path  for  us  to  ivalk  in  ;  with  feveral 
other  ExprelHons  which  befpoke  AfFedlion. 

This  worthy  Man,  and  Minifter  of  the  Gof- 
pel,    notwithftanding    his    great   Endowments 
and  excellent  Qualifications,  yet  thought  it  his 
place  to  (loop  to   and  give   way   to   the  Truth, 
and  let  the  holy  Teftimony  go   through  whom 
it  might    pleafe    the   Lord    to   impower    and 
employ  in   his  Work,    although  it   might  be 
through  contemptible  Inftruments.     I  {incerely 
defire  this  may  prove  profitable  to  thofe  whom 
it  may  concern,  and  into  whofe  Hands  it  may 
come,    that    the   Lord's    Work   may  be   truly 
minded,  and  given  way  unto,  when  it  is  opened; 
for  feeing   no  Man  cart   open   it,    let  not  any 
{Irive  on  the  Man's  Part  to  fhut  the  fame.     1 
have  at  times  feen  fomething  of  this   Nature, 
which  hath  not  been  altogether  to  my   Satis- 
fadlion  ;   a  Word  to  the  Wife  may  fer^ue^  I  would 
hope,  and  may  be  liilEcient  for  a  Caution,  for 
what  I  have  written  is  in  the  Love  of  God,  and 
u.nder  a  Concern  that  hath  been  upon  my  Mind 
at  times,  for  fome  Years,  to  leave  behind  me  a 
gentle  Caution   to  my  tender    Friends  of  both 
Sexes,  to  have  an  efpecial  Care  in   all  Things 
to  recommend  not  only  their  Gifts,  but  their 
Demeanour  in  them,  as  alio  their  Converfations 
after  them,    to  every  Man's  Conlcience  in  the 
Sight  of  God,  fo  that  you  may  build    up  the 
Lord's    Houfe    ( like   the   wife    Woman  )  and 
always  hav^  a  great  Care,  that  nothing  you  fay 
or  do   may    any  way  tend  to  the  Hindrance  of 

O  the 


(  100  ) 

the  Lord's  Work,  or  difcourage  the  Weakefl  in 
the  Flock  of  Chrift,  but  labour  to  faften  every 
Stake,  and  ftrengthen  every  Cord  of  Sion^  and 
as  much  as  you  are  capable,  build  up  the  Taber- 
nacle in  Jenifalem\  for  as  God  is  a  Spirit,  and 
the  Soul  of  Man  is  a  fpiritual  Exiftence,  and  as 
the  Soul  and  Body  of  Man  become  fandified 
and  prepared,  as  a  Temple  for  the  Lord  by  his 
holy  Spirit  to  tabernacle  in,  the  Lord  is  to  fuch 
as  a  San6luary  to  fly  to,  and  reft  in,  from  Heats 
and  from  Srorms  :  Here  is  the  true  Church's 
Rock,  and  Place  of  Defence  (to  ivit )  the 
Name  and  Pov^er  of  the  mighty  God.  Oh  ! 
that  all  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Earth  were  ac- 
quainted with  this  Name,  and  Rock  of  Defence, 
they  would  not  then  be  fo  much  overcome,  as 
they  are,  with  the  Power  of  the  Enemy  of  the 
Soul,  but  would  live  above  his  Region,  which 
is  in  the  Earth,  or  rather,  in  the  earthly  Hearts 
of  Men.  All  you  who  have  efcaped  the  Pollu- 
tions of  the  World,  keep  in  your  Tents,  until 
the  Lord  moves  and  leads  forward,  and  opens 
the  Way,  fometimes  as  in  a  Wildernefs. 

Read  and  underftand  from  whence  thefe 
Things  have  their  Rife  and  Original,  for  there 
is  the  Church's  Safetv,  and  its  Comelinefs  too, 
in  abiding  in  the  Truth  ;  this  is  your  Place 
of  Safety  where  the  Enemy  has  no  Power, 
where  the  Wiles  of  Satan  and  Inventions  of 
Man  cannot  reach,  no  Inchantment  hath  Power 
over  thefe,  renowned  be  the  great  Name  of  the 
Lord  now  and  for  ever. 

How 


(        loi        ) 

How  comfortable,  how  eafy  and  pleafant  are 
even  all  the  Books,  and  Teftimonies,  and  Ex- 
hortations, that  are  given  forth  in  the  Spirit, 
Love  and  Life  of  Chrift!  yea,  the  very  Com- 
pany andConverfationoffuch  who  arepreferved 
in  the  Life,  becomes  a  fweet  Savour  of  divine 
Life  to  the  Living;  there  is  Edification,  Com- 
fort and  Confolation,  a  ftrengthning  and  build-? 
ing  up  one  of  another  in  the  moft  holy  and 
precious  Faith,  fo  that  I  find  the  truly  quickned 
Soul  taketh  great  Delight  to  refort  to,  and  as. 
much  as  may  be,  converfe  with  the  awakened 
^nd  truly  quickened  Souls  who  take  up  the 
Crofs  of  Chrift  daily,  and  follow  him  in  the 
Way  of  Self-denial,  although  it  be  a  Way  that' 
is  much  fpoken  againft,  by  fuch  who  know  not 
the  Nature  and  Difcijfline  of  the  holy  Crofs,  and. 
defpife  fuch  who  are  true  Followers  of  Chrift. 
To  feel  this  efTential  Virtue,  Seed  or  Leaven  of 
the  Kingdom,  or  Salt  of  the  Covenant  (Chrift) 
to  work  fo  effedlually  to  the  reftoring  of  the 
Powers  and  Faculties  of  the  Soul,  into  the  firft 
Re6litude  and  Purity,  that  all  the  Malignity  may 
be  throughly  purged  out,  with  all  the  Drofs  or 
Tin,  vvhich  defileth  the  Man,  and  makes  him 
unfit  for  the  Kingdom  and  for  the  Service  of  God, 
is  a  great  Work.  Neither  is  the  Veffel  prefer ved 
clean,  (when  it  is  in  degreecleanfed)  but  through 
great  Care,  Watchfulnefs  and  Diligence  in  at- 
tending upon  the  Lord  with  great  Devotednefs, 
and  Refignation  to  his  Mind  and  Will  in  all 
Things:  Experience  hath  taught  us,  as  well  as 
what  we  read  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  that  there 


(  I02  ) 

are  many  Combats  to  go  through  for  fuch  as 
are  engaged  in  this  Warfare,  before  the  above- 
faid  State,  'uiz.  Deliverance  from  Sin  and  Sata% 
and  a  Sabbatical  or  peaceful  Refl  in  Chrifl  can 
be  obtained  to  the  Soul. 

Come  thou  that  loveft  the  Light,  and  bringeft 
thy  Deeds  to  the  Light,  and  believeft  in  the 
Light,  and  haft  thy  Body  full  of  Light,  by 
keeping  thy  Eye  fingle  to  God,  and  in  and  to 
all  things  that  may  tend  to  his  Glory  and  thy 
Duty;  thou  wilt  become  a  Child  of  the  Light, 
and  receive  the  whole  Armour  of  Light ;  this 
is  thar  which  will  arm  thee  on  the  right  Hand 
and  on  the  left:  Put  off^  thy  own  Righteouf- 
nefs,  which  it  may  be  thy  Breaft  hath  been 
too  much  poflTcfTed  with,  and  put  on  Chrift's 
Righteoufnefs  as  a  Breajl-plate^  for  it  much  im- 
boldens  in  imminent  Dangers,  and  alfo  at  ap- 
proaching Death  ;  wait  upon  him  that  hath 
Power,  that  thy  Feet  may  be  flood  ivith  the  Pre- 
paration of  the  Gofpel  of  Peace ;  fo  that  as  the 
Gofpel-Power,  and  Gofpel-Miniftry,  all  tend 
to  gather  into  the  Ways  of  the  Gofpel  and  of 
Virtue,  thou  mayft  not  fail  to  be  a  Preacher 
of  Righteoufnefs  in  thy  Walking,  and  in  thy 
w^hole  Converfation ;  for  this  is  one  of  the  good 
Ends  for  which  the  Gofpel-Power  hath  reached 
and  vifited  thy  Soul,  viz,  to  purge  it  and  make 
it  clean ;  and  take  care  to  have  upon  thy  Head 
the  Helmet  of  Salvation^  which  will  be  a  Strength 
and  as  a  Crown  to  thee,  not  only  in  thy  many 
Encounters,  but  more  efpecially  in  thy  laft 
Encounter  with  Death ;  and   that  thou  mayft 

have 


(       1^3       ) 

liave  Falch  as  a  Shield  to  put  on^  that  thou 
mayfl  overcome  the  World  and  have  Victory ; 
and  above  all  things,  take  to  thyfelf  the  Sz^ord 
of  the  Spirit^  which  is  the  Word  of  God,  that 
through  this  excellent  Armour  of  Proof,  thoi^ 
mayft  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  Darts  and 
Tempt atio7is  of  the  DeviL 

If  thou  art  a  Soldier  of  Chrift,  this  is  thy 
Armour  j  thefe  are  thy  Accoutrements  which 
fit  thee  for  thy  Vocation,  as  a  Follower  of  the 
Lamb  through  many  Encounters  with  thy  Ene- 
mies, whicJi  Armour  will  give  thee  the  Victory, 
and  bring  chee  through  many  Tribulations, 
which  is  the  Way  to  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven. 

Now  leaving  the  Ealtern  Parts  of  New^ 
England,  and  thefe  fine  tender  People  on  Na7i'^ 
tucket  niand,  with  fervent  Supplications  and 
Prayers  to  the  Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth, 
that  he  would  profper  his  blelTed  Work 
of  Converfion  which  he  had  begun  amongft 
them,  and  in  all  fuch  upon  the  Face  of  the 
whole  Earth,  in  the  next  Place  I  came  to  Lynn^ 
to  Samuel  Collings^  where  I  liad  not  been  long 
before  I  met  with  an  unufual  Exercife,  which 
I  had  expe(5led  for  fome  Time  would  foil 
upon  me,  'viz. 

Having  heaYd  of  George  Keith's  Intention  of 
being  at'  Lynn  Monthly-meeting  the  next  Day, 
(this  Lynn^  as  near  as  I  remember,  lies  between 
Salem,  in  the  Eaft  Part  and  Bofion)  the  Evening- 
coming  on,  as  I  was  writing  to  fome  Friends 
in  old  England^  one  came  in  hafte  to  defire 
pie  to  come  down,  for  George  Keith  was  come 

to 


(       104      ) 

to  the  Door,  and  a  great  Number  of  People 
and  a  Prieft  with  him,  and  was  railing  againft 
Friends  exceedingly,  I  faid,  Inafmuch  as  I  un- 
derjiand  this  Lynn  Meeting  is^  although  large ^ 
moftly  a  newly  convinced  People^  I  advife  you  ta 
be  fwift  to  hear^  but  Jlow  to  fpeak^  for  GtovgQ 
Keith  hath  a  Life  in  Argument  ;  and  let  us 
as  a  People  feek  unto^  and  cry  jnightily  to  the 
Lord^  to  look  doijun  upon  us^  and  help  us  for  his 
Name's  Jake^  for  our  Prefervation^  that  none 
may  be  hurt. 

The  Country  was  much  alarmed  ;  for,  aa 
Friends  faid,  George  Keith  had  given  Notice  twa 
Weeks  before-hand,  that  he  intended  to  be  at 
this  Monthly-meeting,  and  the  People  were  in 
great  Expecflation  to  hear  the  ^takers  run  down, 
for  George  Keith  had  boafted  much  of  what  he 
would  prove  againft  Friends.  So  after  fome 
Paufe,  Retirement  and  fervent  feeking  to  the 
Lord  for  Diredlion  and  Counfel  in  this  important 
Affair,  I  went  to  the  Rails,  and  leaned  my 
Arms  on  them  near  George  KeitVs  Horfe's  Head, 
as  he  fat  on  his  Back,  and  many  People  were 
with  him  ;  but  the  few  Friends  who  were 
come  ftood  with  me  in  the  Yard.  My  fervent 
Prayers  were  to  the  Lord,  that  if  he  gave  me 
any  *  thing  to  fpeak  to  George^  it  might  go  forth 
in  that^Power  and  Wifdom  which  v^as  able  tO: 
wound  that  wicked  Spirit  in  which  he  appeared, 
and  boafted  over  Friends  after  the  following 
manner,  crying,  Is  here  a  Man  that  is  a  Scholar  ? 
Is  here  a  Mafi  that  under/lands  the  Languages 
araongft you?  Iffoy  I ivill difputeivith him,  1  told 

hiai  ^ 


(       '05       ) 

him,  //  ivas  probable  that  the  Englifla   Tongue 
-was  moji  generally   underjlood   and  ufed   amongjl 
that  People^  and  therefore  I  thought  it  ivas  the  bed 
to  keep  to  it.     He  went  on  and  faid,  that  he  was 
come  in  the  ^eens  Name  to  gather  the  Quakers 
from  Quakerifm,  to  the  Mother  Churchy  the  good 
old  Church  of  England,  and  that  he  intended  to 
exhibit    in   our    Meeting    on   the    Morroiv    thefe 
Charges  following  agai?ili  uSy    which,  he  faid,   he 
could  prove  ive  *were  guilt j  of^  out  of  our  Friends 
Books,  viz.  Errors,  Herefies,  damnable  Dodlrines 
and  Blafphemies :  Look,  faid  he,  to  anfwer  for 
yourf elves,  for  if  you  do   7iot,  the  Auditory  ivill 
conclude,  that  ijuhat  I  exhibit  againflyou  is  true,   v 
I  was  roufed  up  in  my  Spirit  in  a  holy  Zeal 
againft  his   wicked  Infults  and  great  Threaten- 
ings,  and  faid  to  him.  That  it  ivas  the  Fruit  of 
Malice  and  Envy,  and  that  he  ivas  to  us  but  as 
an  heathen  Man  and  a  Publican ;  ;  (but  more  of 
this  anon.)     Then  he  began  to  cafl  what  Slurs 
and  Odiums  he  could  upon  Friends,  with  fuch 
bitter  Inved:ives  as  his  Malice  could  invent.  I 
flood   with   an   attentive  Ear  and  a  watchful 
Mind ;    for  as  I  flood  leaning  upon    the  Rails, 
with  no  fmall  Concern  upon  my  Mind,  I  felt 
the  Lord's  Power  arife,  and  by  it  my  Strength 
was    renewed   in   the  inner   Man,    and   Faith, 
Wifdom  and  Courage  with  it,  fo  that  the  Fear 
of  Man,  with  all  his  Parts  and  Learning,  was 
taken  from  me ;  and  in  this  State  George  Keith 
appeared  to  me   but   as  a   little   Child,    or  as 
nothing :  Renowned  be  the  moll  excellent  Name 
of  the  Lord,  now  and  for  ever.     But  this  ^reac 

Champion 


(       io6       ) 

Ghampion  [Goliah  like,  at  lead  in  his  Mind) 
I  fuppofed  feared  not  any  there  ;  he  overlooked 
us  all,  and  in  the  Pride  of  his  Heart  dilMained 
us ;  but  the  Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth  looked 
down  upon, lis  in  a  very  acceptable  Tinie,  and 
helped  us  for  his  Name's  fake,  and  cove-  ed  our 
Heads  in  the  Day  of  Battle:  Glorified  be  his 
great  Name  for  ever. 

I  have  fometimes  thought  to  omit  fome  Part 
of  this  Account  concerning  George  Keith^  but  I 
remember  it  opened  very  clearly  -in  my  Mind 
then,  and  I  faid  to  him,  That  the  Hand  of  the 
Lord  ivas  againft  him^  and  that  he  ivould  pour 
forth  Contempt  upon  him^  for  his  Difobedience  and 
Wickednefs, 

But  to  return  to  his  Refleclions  ;  he  faid,  the 
Quakers  pretend  to  be  againii  all  Ceremonies^  but 
he  could  prove  that  they  ufed  many  Cerew.onies^ 
as  taking  one  another  by  the  Hand,  and  Men 
fainting  one  another,  and  Women  doing  fo  to 
one  another,  and^  ht  laid,  that  Women  did  falute 
Men ;  yea^  they  had  done  it  to  him ;  as  it  was 
generally  underftood  by  thofe  who  heard  him, 
which  I  thought  not  worthy  my  Notice,  (but 
more  of  this  anon.)  He  went  on  and  faid,  the 
Quakers  pretended  to  be  againjl  all  Perfecution^ 
hut  they  'were  not  deary  for  the  Quakers  in 
Pennfylvania  and  the  Jerfeys  had  perjecuted  him\ 
and  would  have  hanged  him^  but  that  there  vua^, 
form  Alteration  in  the  Government, 

Then  came  out  ont  of  my  Arrows  which  cut^ 
and  wounded  him  deep :  1  faid,  George  that  is 
not  true.     Unon  that  the  Prieft  drew  near  and 

appeared 


(       107      ) 

appeared  very  briflc,  and  faid,  /  had  as  good  as 
charged  Mr,  Keith  (as  he  called  him)  '^juith  d 
Lie,  I  replied.  Give  ??ie  Time^  and  I  will  prove 
that  "which  George  /did^  was  not  trite,  and  then 
thou  and  he  may  take  your  Advantage  to  rejcue 
him  frofii  that  Epithet  of  a  Liar  if  you  can.  The 
Prieft  faid,  /  kneiv  not  Mr,  Keith :  I  replied,  If 
he  knevu  him  as  ivell  as  I  did^  he  ivould  be  ajhamed 
to  he  there  as  an  Abettor  of  him.  The  Pried  got 
away,  and  troubled  me  no  more  in  all  the  En- 
gagements that  George  and  I  had  afterwards 
(altho' the  faid  Prieft  was  with  him.)  Then 
1  demanded  of  George^  What  Way  our  Friends 
proceeded  againft  him^  and  ^hat  Meafures  they 
took^  as  he  ivould  infinuate^  to  bring  him  to  the 
Gallows  ?  But  I  perceived  Fear  began  to  furprize 
the  Hypocrite^  and  he  thinking  by  my  Boldnefs 
I  was  an  Inhabitant  of  thofe  Parts,  and  knew 
his  Abufe  to  Friends  in  thefe  Provinces,  and 
their  peaceable  Behaviour  towards  him,  was 
willing  to  let  the  matter  drop,  and  demanded 
viy  NamCy  which  was  told  him*  I  then  a&ed, 
Hoiv  he  could  have  a  Face  to  urge  fuch  a  notorious 
Untruth  in  the  Vie%u  of  that  People  who  vuere 
much  Strangers  to^  arid  ignorant  of  the  Troubles 
and  Differences^  chiefly  created  by  him^  among 
Friends  in  thofe  Parts  ? 

This  Meeting  (as  before  mentioned)  being 
generally  newly  convinced  of  the  Truth,  there- 
fore I  urged  to  have  him  to  corrie  to  the  Particulars 
of  Friends  Proceedings  againft  him,  that  even 
for  very  Shame,  among  thofe  Strangers  he 
wouM  feii  forth  as  far  as  he  could  in  Truth,  the 

P  fteps 


fh^ 


{      108      ) 


fteps  Friends  had  taken  in  perfecuting  him,  ^" 
he  pretended  ;  but  he  would  not  meddle  in  the 
leall  with  it.  Then  I  fliewed  him,  and  the 
People,  the  Falfity  '  of  his  Charge,  and  the 
Wickednefs'of  his  Spirit,  and  the  Peaceablenefs 
of  Friends  Behaviour  towards  him,  and  w^hat 
great  Affronts  and  Provocations  they  had  put 
tip  with  at  his  hand,  as  I  had  it  from  thofe  who 
were  Eye  and  Ear  WitnefTes  of  it:  For,  as  I 
fliewed  George  Keith^  I  had  fearched  into  the 
Bottom  of  tiiefe  ^J  atters,  and  heard  that  when  he 
flood  before  Governors  and  Affembly  Men  in 
their  Courts  of  Judicature,  when  they  w^ere  met 
about  the  Affairs  of  the  three  Provinces,  he  has 
tore  open  his  Buttons  and  told  them,  His  Back 
tickled  for  a  Whippings  and  could  they  not  cut 
hbn  into  Collops^  and  fry  ^  and  eat  them  ivith  Salt ; 
and  that  he  fcorncd  they  Jhould  wipe  his  Shoes  : 
All  which,  with  much  more,  I  MoldYnvn  I  conld 
proije  aguinfl  him.  And  when  he  faw  he  could 
not  provoke  Friends  to  give  him  fome  condign 
Punifliment,  ^ivhich  I  thought^  as  I  faid  to  him, 
none  but  Friends  tvould  hwve  fpared^  efpecially, 
nvhen  his  Back  tickled  fo  much  for  a  Whipping  ; 
but  they  like  Men  of  Peace  and  Religion  over- 
looked it  all,  and  he  like  a  Man  full  of  Malice, 
rather  than  want  fomething  to  llur  and  blacken 
Friends  with,  writ  a  Letter  I  know  not  v^here, 
but  dated  it  from  Bridlington  Prifon  in  Wefi- 
Jerfey,  It  mufl  have  been  dated  on  the  outfide 
of  the  Prifon,  the  Doors  being  locked,  fo  that 
he  could  not  get  into  it  ;  yet  this  went  current 
far  off,    that  George     Keith    "was   in  Prijon  ; 

confequently 


.  •  (       ^^9       ) 

^onfequently  by  Friends  Procurement,  they  be- 
ing chief  at  the  Helm  of  Government  in  thofe 
ihree  Provinces.  - 

I  afked,  What  he  had  to  fay  to  all  this,  for  it 
rivas  all  provable?  He  did  not  objedl  one  Word 
againft  what  \  had  faid,  but  vainly  hoping  for 
better  Succefs  relating  to  his  Undertaking  in  Old 
pngland,  finding  me  (as  he  might  fuppofej  fo  well 
verfed  in  the  American  Affairs,  lioped  (no  doubt) 
that  I  had  been  more  ignorant  of  the  AfFdirs  in 
Britain  :  But  poor  Man,  he  fped  as  ill  there 
aifo  ;  for  he  boaitingly  faid,  Since  it  pleated  God 
to  open  his  Eyes  to  fee  into  the  ivo'jl  of  the  Quakers 
Errors ;  although^  he  faid,  Charity  did  oblige  hitn 
to  conflrue  every  thing  at  the  be/i  ivhiljt  in  Fel^ 
loiDfldif  vuith  them,  but  fince  they  ivere  fo  ot>enedy 
as  he  faid,  he  had  been  inflrumental  to  bring  from 
Quakerifm,  to  the  good  old  Mother  Church  in  Old 
England  Jf^'^  hundred  Peopk.  I  replied,  that  is 
not  true:  If  he  rightly  confidered  what  he  had 
done  in  Old  England,  he  had  little  caufe  to  boaft  ; 
for,  I  faid,  /  thought  about  as  many  Perfons  as 
he  [poke  of  Hundreds,  ivould  make  up  the  Number 
there  ;  and  if  there  was  occafion,  I  could  name  all 
or  mofl  of  them  :  And  withal  told  him,  that 
fome  of  thcfe  fevu ,' vuhilfl  among  us,  vuere  grown 
to  be  neither  honourable  nor  comfortable  to  us,  I 
urged  George^  if  he  could,  to  name  or  make 
appear  more  in  Number  than  I  had  mentioned, 
that  he  had  fo  gathered,  as  he  had  falily  faid. 
This  was  a  very  great  Stroke  upon  him,  and 
put  him  to  a  (land. 

He 


(  IIvS)  } 

He  then  began  to  afk  of  my  Country,  and 
from  whence  i  came  ?  With  the  Account  of 
which  1  humoured  him;  yet  withal  put  him 
m  mind  oi:  his  great  Brag,  and  importuned  him 
to  make  fomethmg  appear  towards  that  great 
matter  he  had  done  in  Old  .England,  even  for 
very  ihame ;  for  I  was  afliamed  for  him,  that  a 
Adan  of  his  Learnirg,  Parts  and  Pretenfions, 
Ihouid  lo  exppfe  himiclf ;  but  he  went  no  far- 
ther about  it.  Then  I  fliewed  to  the  People 
what  fort  of  a  Man  he  was,  (as  they  themfelves 
could  not  but  lee,  who  were  impartial)  and 
that  he  was  not  worthy  of  oyr  Notice  ;  for  he 
cared  not  what  he  faid,  fo  that  he  could  but 
calumniate  and  abufe  us. 

By  this  Time  he  appeared  fpmewhat  glutted 
with  the  fharp  Sword  and  keen  Arrow  the  Lord 
gave  me,  which  cut  and  wounded  deep,  fo  that 
from  this  Time  I  ^  not  find  in  our  after  Enr 
counters,  he  appeared^  at  any  time  fb  h>old  and 
defperately  hardy,  but  rather  exprefitd  himielf, 
altho'  very  wickedly,  yet  in  a  fofter  Tone.  He 
was  now  for  beirg  gone,  thrcatningus  with  what 
he  would  do  on  the  Morrow  ;  but,!  reniincied 
him,  that  he  \vas  to  us  as  an  hcaihcn  Man  or 
a  Publican,  and  that  what  he  e5.h]h}red  againft 
us,  being  but  the  I  ruits  ot  Wratli  and  tnvy, 
as  inch  we  llighted  and  trod  it  under  our  Feet 
as  Dirt,  and  rather  defired  his  Ablence  tlian  his 
Company:  So  away  he  went,  on  y  telhng  us, 
he  would  be  with  us  in  the  Morning.  We 
underltoocl  by  it,  that  he  intended  to  be  with 
us  at   tii^^Jt fiends  houie,    the  Meeting-houfe 

being 


(    III    ) 

being  about  a  Quarter  of  a   Mile   from   our 
Lodgings. 

The  Evening  coming  on,  the  neighbouring 
Prelhyterian  Women  fell  hard  upon  our  Women 
Friends  ^honV their  jaluting  Men^.  which  George 
Keith  had  charged  upon  them,  as  was  generally 
underftood  in  the  Plural,  and  this  appeared  as  a- 
CorJir772ationj  as  they  alledged,  becaiife  ivhen 
charged^  I  made  no  Reply  to  it^  as  I  had  done  to 
all  or  mojl  othtr  Charges^  and  had  ouerthroivn 
Mr,  Keith,  a^  they  faid,  fo  -that  he  ivas  not  able 
to  Jland  before  me.  They  ought  to  have  faid. 
before  the  Lord  in  the  firft  place:  But  how  the 
AVomen  might  clear  themfelves  of  that  Reflec- 
tion was  the  prefent  Bufinefs.  I  faid,  I  thought 
it  would  be  the  beft,  at  a  fuitable  Time  in  the 
Morning  when  George  Keith  was  coin^,  that  by 
handfomly  bringing  the  matter  over^  him,  they 
plight  learu  what  Women  they  were  who  faluted 
him,  and  fo  clear  themfelves  from  the  Reflecftion 
call  upon  them  ;  for,  I  faid,  perhaps  he  will 
jimit  it  tQ  fbme  of  his  near  Kindred  (as  Wife, 
Mother,  Sifter,  Daughter)  which  may  ferve  for 
a  Salvo  in  this  prefent  Cafe ;  for  I  did  not 
know  of  any  fuch  general  Pradlice  in  any  Place 
where  I  had  been,  and  I  had  vifited  mod  of 
the  Meetings  in  England^  Scotland^  and  Wales, 
So  in  the  Morning  when  George^  with  two 
Priefts,  and  many  People  were  come,  with 
fome  Friends,  who  filled  the  Ploufe,  a  Woman 
Friend  ftood  up  and  brought  the  Matter  dif- 
creetly  over  George  Keith,  But  when  flie  put 
^he  Queftion  in  the  Plural,   (IVomen)  he  fliifted 

^    .   the 


(  1X2  ) 

the  Term  and  faid,  he  did  not  fay  Women.  I 
defired  the  Friend  to  call  to  her  Neighbours 
who  heard  what  George  Keith  had  fald  the  laft 
Evening,  and  were  now  prefent,  how  they  un- 
derflood  the  Word  ?  One  like  a  wife  and  jufl 
Man  faid,  He  ivoidd  do  Jufiice  to  every  Man ; 
and  he  under/lood  that  George  faid  Women  ; 
and  many  faid  to  the  fame  purpofe,  but  none 
to  the  contrary.  Th>^  Friends  alked  itie,  Hoiv 
I underfood  the  Word?  As  being  a  North  Country- 
man^  I  might  knoiv  better  the  North  or  Scotch 
Diela^  than  they,  I  replied,  They  had  a  broad 
way  of  expreffing  the  Word  Woman,  rather 
founding  it  like  the  plural^  but  I  underfood  it 
Women  as  the  above  mentioned  difcreet  Man 
had  faid. 

The  next  Queftion  fhe  put  to  him  was, 
J^hat  Woman?  He  anfwered,  A  good  old  motherly 
Woman  that  ivas  gone  to  Heaven  many  Tears 
ago.  Then  flie  aflced,  What  Country  lYoman  ? 
He  replied,  A  Scotch  Woman,  The  Friend  faid. 
It  ivas  very  %vell  that  he  had  cleared  all  the  World 
of  that  Fc^ult  (if  it  mlglit  be  fo  termed)  but 
Scotland,  and  the  Woman  dead  many  Tears  ago. 
The  Women  Friends  were  greatly  fatisfied, 
and  glad  they  were  fo  finely  difcharged  of  that 
which  fbme  counted  a  fottl  Refiedlion,  and 
efpecially  befoi^e  their  zealous  Neighbours  the 
Frefvyterians^  who  (as  the  Friends  faid)  pro- 
bably might  have  twitted  them  with  it,  whether 
the  Matter  was  true  or  Falfe,  if  it  had  not  been 
cleared  up;  blit^  as  I  faid  to  George^  it  was  a 
Ucfei'tionfor  Refleciion  s  fah :    For  I  was  willing 

to 


(       "3       ) 

to  fet  every  thing  that  Wcts  wrong  (as  for  as  I 
was  capable)  in  its  proper  Light,  that  Friends 
and  others,  of  all  Perliiafions  and  Qualities 
who  were  preTent,  might  fee  Things  as  they 
really  were,  and  not  be  deceived  ;  and  I  had 
much  Satisfaction  in  fo  doing.  And  inafmuch 
as  I  was  engaged  in  the  Defence  of  the  Truth^ 
it  appeared  the  moft  clear  to  me,  to  load  him 
with  his  own  Lies,  Miftakes  and  Wickednefs, 
and  to  do  what  we  did,  as  much  as  in  us  lay, 
in  the  Lord's  mighty  Power  ;  for  he  appeared 
tome,  like  to  the  Angels  who  kept  not  their 
.firfl:  State. 

Matters  being  thus  far  gone  through,  and 
the  Meeting-time  drav/ing  on,  I  was  in  fome 
Concern  of  Mind,  left  any  ihould  be  hurt  by 
either  hearing  or  anfwering  Georg-e  Ke'itb^  he 
having  a  great  Propenfity  to  jangling  ;  it  there- 
fore opened  in  my  Mind  to  afli  him  a  Queftion, 
withal  reminding  him,  that  he  ivas  but  to  us  as 
an  heathen  Man  or  a  Publican^  yet  he  might,  if 
he  pleafed,  anfwer  me  the  Queftion,  which  was. 
Whether  he  ivas  always  found  in  the  fundamental 
Doiir'mes  of  Chriftianity,  yea  or  nay  ?  Upon 
which  he  fat  a  conliderable  Time  in  Silence, 
of  which  I  was  truly  glad,  my  Spirit  being 
much  bowed  under  the  Apprehenfion  I  had,  of 
the  weighty  Exercife  that  was  likely  to  attend 
the  approaching  Meeting.  But  before  we  part-' 
ed,  George  flood  up,  and  taking  his  Staii'  u 
his  Hand  by  .the  Middle,  faid.  While  he  war  d 
Quaker,  he  thought^  as  Paul  thought^  that  he  had 
the  Spirit  of  God,  and  iv hen  be  had  the  Spi^  ^t 


(       "4      ) 

dfGod^  then  he  ivrote  found  Things,  but  ivhen  he 
had  it  not  ^  then  he  wrote  MnfouvA  Things.  lafked, 
Whether  ihe/e  unfound  Things  he  'wrote  uuere  tit 
Fundamentals,  yea^  or  nay  ?  If  not  in  Funda- 
mentals, then  my  ^iejiion  remained  firm  and 
untouched.  He  would  have  gone  from  the 
matter,  but  I  reminded  him  of  it  again,  as  I 
fuppofed  he  forefaw  that  he  could  not  anfwef' 
it,  but  by  bringing  a  Stroke  upon  himlelf,  fof 
if  he  had  owned  his  being  unfound^  I  had  it 
under  his  own  Hand,  in  a  Book  written  after 
he  left  Friends,  that  he  ivas  always  found  ^  &c. 
And  if  he  had  faid,  he  was  always  found  in  the 
Fundamentals^  as  before,  then  I  intended  to  have 
afked,  why  he  lejt  us  ?  For  he  advocated  thd 
fame  orthodox  Principles  v/hich  we  believed 
and  taught;  but  we  ended  quietly,  and  prepared 
to  go  to  the  great  Meeting,  for  by  this  time 
many '  Friends  and  People  were  come,  and 
coming  from  every  Quarter,  to  fee  and  hear 
how  Matters  would  go  between  the  poor 
Ridkers ^  and  this  great  Champion  in  his  Heart 
George  Keith^  for  I  thought  he  rtioft  refembled 
the  great  Goliah  of  Gath^  who  defied  the 
Armies  of  the  living  God,  of  any  I  had  ever  yet 
feen  in  all  my  Travels,  iii^  a  religious  refpecl. 

Now  to  the  Meeting  we  went ;  George  Keith^ 
w^tli  two  Pricfts,  and  a  great  many  People" 
gathered  together  of  fsveral  Profeffions  and 
Qualities  into  one  Body,  and  Friends  and  fome 
friendly  People  iqto  another  Body;  and  as  we 
came  near  to  the  Meeting-houfe,  I  fto  id  ftill,- 
and  took  a  View  of  the  People,  and  it  appeared 

^  to* 


(       "5      ) 

to  me  as  if  two  Armies  were  g6ing  to  engage 
in  Battle:  There  appeared  wuth  George  Keith 
Men  of  confiderable  Eftates,  Parts,  and  Learn- 
ing, and  we  appeared  like  poor  Shrubs;  and, 
under  a  Senfe  of  our  prefent  State,  I  had  like 
to  have  been  difmayed,  and  my  Faith  had  even 
like  to  have  failed  me ;  but  I  cried  mightily  to 
the  God  and  Fountain  of  all  our  tender  Mercies, 
that  he  would  look  down  upon  us,  and  help  us 
in  this  Time  of  great  Exercife,  which  wms  not 
hid  from  him ;  but  his  penetrating  Eye  faw, 
and  his  watchful  Providence  attended  us,  bleiTed 
be  his  Name  for  ever.  I  continued  my  fervent 
Prayers  and  Interceflions  to  the  Lord  of  Hofts, 
that  he  would  arife  for  his  great  Name's  fake, 
and  work  for  us  that  Day,  that  the  Enemies 
of  Truth  might  not  triumph  or  vaunt  over  us, 
and  that  none  of  thefe  tender  Plants,  which 
he  had  brought  to  the  faving  Knowledge  of  the . 
Truth,  might  be  hurt. 

1  had  no  fooner  thus  heartily  fought  to  the 
Lord,  but  I  felt  renev/ed  Strength -come  upon 
me,  and  the  Fear  of  Man  v/as  taken  away 
from  me,  and  I  fav;-  evidently  that  Truth  would 
have  the  Victory  that  Day,  and  my  Faith  and 
Confidence  was  greatly  ftrengthened  in  the 
Lord.  Thefe  breathings  forth  of  my  Spirit  to 
^he  Lord  were  in  fecret,  without  Words  to  be 
heard  by  Men,  but  the  Lord  hears  and  knows 
the  Diftrefs  and  Language  of  the  Spirit. 

Beings  thus  encouraged  in  myfelf,  it  arofe  in 

ray  Heart  to  fpeak  to  Friends  before  we  went 

ate  the  Meetin^<-houfe,  and  I  advifed  them /c? 


(       "6      ) 

hefwift  to  hear  and  Jlow  to  /peak,  and  that  ivhaf 
wasjpoken  might  he  in  the  Lord's  Po'wer^  for  that 
wounds  George  the  mojl^  and  Jlays  that  'wicked 
and  ranting  Spirit  in  him^  more  than  all  the 
Wi/dom  of  Words  ivithout  it  5  and  let  us  maintain 
our  Tejlijnony  oj  Denial  againd  him^  and  endea^ 
'vour  to  get  together  into  one  B'ody^  that  ii'e  ma)  be 
an  Help  and  Strength  one  to  another ;  and  let 
every  one  it  ho  knows  the  Lorct^  cry  mightily  unto 
him^  that  his  living  Power  and  Prejence  may  be 
amongjl  us^  and  i  believed  the  Lord  would  not 
Ju^er  any  to  be  hurt.  So  the  Meeting  gathered, 
and  immediately  after,  George  ftood  up  to 
tell  us  (as  before)  that  he  vims  come  in  the 
Queens  Name  to  gather  Quakers  fro7n  Quaker- 
iim,  to  the  good  old  Mother  Churchy  the  Church 
of  England  (as  he  called  it)  and  that  he  could 
prove  out  of  our  ovun  Books ^  that  vue  held  t.rrors, 
Herefies,  damnable  Dodtrines  and  Blaiphemies  ; 
with  a  Threat  to  look  to  ourj elves  to  anjwer^  or 
elfe  the  Auditory  vuould  conclude^  that  vuhat  hs 
exhibited  againjl  us  vl^s  true.  I  expefted  ibme 
of  the  elder  Friends  would  fay  lomething  to 
him,  but  none  did;  and  I  having  a  deep  Concern 
upon  my  Mind,  left  Truth,  or  the  Friends  of 
Truth,  Ihould  fuffer  thro'  our  Mifmanagement^ 
and  fuch  as  waited  for  Occafion,  might  have  an 
Occafion  adminiftred  by  us  rigairft  ourfeJves;  I 
fay,  under  this  Concern  of  Mind  1  llood  up, 
and  fignified  to  the  People  what  manner  of 
IVian  George  Keith  was  ;  notwithftanding  he  had 
walked  many  Years  amongft  ut-,  yetto^'iards  tlie 
latter  end  oi  his  lo  Wiilkin^  with  us,  he  grew 

very 


(      "7      ) 

very  troublefome,  by  reafon  of  a   contentious 
Spirit  winch  did  poffefs  him ;  and  atcer  much 
Labour  and  exercifing  of  Patience,  and  extend- 
ing of  Love  towards   him ;    in  order  to  recover 
and  reclaim  him,  all  that  Labour  of  Love  and 
much  Forbearance  would  not  avail,  but  he  ftill 
perfilted  in  the  Work  of  Contention  and  Dif- 
turbance.     Then  he  was    pubUcly     difowned, 
and  teftified  againft  by  us,  as   a  Perfon  with 
whom  we  had  no  Unity  or  Fellowfhip  :  And 
being  thus  caft  out,  he  became  to  us  (agreeable 
to  the  Sayings  of  Jefus  Chrift)    as  an  Heathen 
Man  or  a  Publican  \  and  being  thus  disjointed, 
to   expofe  us,    what  lay   in  his  Power,    to  all 
forts  of  People,  he  chofe  printing   againji\s  ; 
wherein  he  hath  much  abufed  us,  in  leaving  out 
many  times  the  explanatory  Parts  of  Sentences, 
and  coinmg  Words  to  make  the  Meanmg  appear 
different  from  what  was  defigned,  and  indeed^ 
from  what  was  mod  fair  and  genuine:  Therefore, 
fome  of  our  Friends  found  themfelvcs  concerned 
to  follow  him    in  Print,    for   the   clearing   us 
from  what  he,  through  Envy,  would  have  wil- 
lingly faileaed  upon  us,  and  to  return  his  Self- 
contradid:ions,  Miliaterpretations,   and  Mifap- 
piications  of  our  Writings  upon  himfelf,  and  to 
clear  our  own  Innocency,  and  manifeft  thePer- 
vennefs  and  Wickednefs  ot  his  Spirit:  Neither 
do  we,  as  a  People,    hold  ourfeives  to  be  undep 
any  Obligation  to  follow  him  into  foreign  Parts 
or  the  World,  to  anfwer  his  Arraignments  and 
Caarges,  not  being  confcious  to  ourfeives  that 
*we  hold    any   tmng    cou-xary    to    found  and 

orthodox 


(       "8       ) 

orthodox Docflrine ;  and  alfo  knowing  that  v.hat 
he  exhibits  againft  us,  is  the  Fruit  of  Envy 
and  MaHce,  as  fuch  we  rejecfl  it  and  trample  it 
under  our  Feet ;  and  were  it  not  for  your  fakes, 
who  are  Strangers  to  thefe  Things,  w^e  fhould 
take  no  further  Notice  of  George  Keith  than  to 
flight  and  reject  him  as  a  Man  that  cares  not 
what  he  fays,  nor  is  he  worthy  of  our  Notice. 

,Then  paufing  a  little,  George  being  quiet,  a 
Friend  flood  up  with  a  fhort,  but  living  Tefti- 
mony,  and  then  my  Companion;  all  this  in 
much  Weight  and  with  good  Demonftration. 
After  them  it  pleafed  the  Lord  to  open  my 
Mouth,  I  think  in  as  much  Strength,  Clearnefs 
and  Demonllration  as  ever,  beginning  with 
the  following  Words,  In  that  Way  you  call 
Herefy  do  'u>e  worjloip  the  God  of  our  Fathers^ 
believing  all  Things  that  are  ^written  concerning 
J  ejus  Chrijl^  both  as  to  his  God-head  and  Man-^ 
hood;  giving  a  fummary  Account  of  his  Birth, 
working  of  Miracles,  fome  of  his  Dcdlrine, 
Saiferings  and  Death,  Afcenfion  and  Glorifica- 
tion, the  Coming  of  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  or 
Comforter,  to  lead  all  thofe  who  receive,  be- 
lieve, and  obey  it,  into  all  Truth :  Having 
great  Openings  concerning  the  Law  and  Pro- 
phets, and  the  Beginning,  Service  and  End  of  the 
Miniftration  of  John  the  Baptift.  The  People 
appeared  very  much  down  and  attentive,  for  the 
Lord's  heavenly  baptizing  Power  was  amongil 
us  that  Day;  It  was  thought,  many  were,  there 
who  had  not  been  at  any  of  our   Meetings  of 

Worfhip 


(       1-^9      ) 

Worfhip  before,  and  the  Prefence  of  the  Priefls 
there,  opened  a  Door  for  all  the  reft. 

I  being  clear,  left  thern  unto  the  Grace  of 
God,  and  unto  their  free  Teacher  Chrift,  whofe 
heavenly  Power  in  the  Appearance  of  his  Spirit, 
the  laft  and  lafting  Difpenfation,  was  exalted 
that  Day  above  all  the  fhadowy  and  typical 
Things  that  ever  had  been  in  the  World :  A 
good  Meeting  it  was,  and  Friends  vs^ere  mutually 
comforted  and  edified  in  the  internal  Prefence 
of  the  Lord. 

The  Prieft  of  this  Place,  whofe  Name  was 
Sheppardy  before  my  Mouth  was  opened  iu 
Teitimony,  made  Preparation  to  write,  and 
when  I  began  to  fpeak,  he  had  his  Hat  upon 
his  Knee,  and  his  Paper  upon  its  Crown,  and 
Pen  and  Ink  in  his  Hands,  and  made  many 
Motions  to  write,  but  wrot  nothing;  as  he  be- 
gan {o  he  ended,  without  writing  at  all.  And 
as  Friends  entered  the  Meeting-houfe  in  the 
Lord's  Power,  even  that  Power  which  cut 
Uahab^  and  wounded  the  Dragon^  vv'hich  had 
been  at  work,  kept  down  in  a  good  degree 
the  wrong  Spirit  in  George^  for  he  appeared 
much  dov/n ;  but  this  buiy  Prieft  called  to  him 
feveral  Times  to  make  his  Reply  to  what  I  had 
fpoke.  After  fome  Time  I  faid  to  the  Prieft, 
in  Behalf  of  the  Meeting,  that  he  might  have 
Liberty  to  make  Rcplj.  Fie  propofed  to  have 
another  Day  appointed /6>r  a  Dijpute  \  to  which 
I  faid,  if  he  did  make  a  voluntary  Challenge^ 
which  he  fliould  not  fay  we  put  him  upon,  '^ve 
or  fome   of  us  (meaning  Friends)  if  a  Day  and 

Flace 


(        ,.o       ) 

Place  ivere  agreed  upon,  Jlxmld  find  it  our  Concern 
to  anfu^tr  him  as  ijuell  as  li-e  could.  He  faid,  he 
would  have  Mr,  Keith  to  be  ifjithhim:  I  to!d 
him,  ij  he  jhould,  and  meddled  in  the  DiJpiJe^ 
if  I  tt^af  therCy  I  Jhould  rejecl  him  J  or  Reajons 
before  ajftgned.  When  the  Prieft  had  faid  this 
and  Ibmewhat  more,  an  Elder  of  the  Prtjbyte" 
rian  Congregation  clapt  hun  on  the  Shoulder, 
and  bid  him  fit  down ;  fo  he  was  quiet,  and 
then  flood  up  George  Ktith,  and  ow  ^ed  he  had 
been  refrejhed  among U  us  that  Day^  and  had 
heard  a  great  many  Jound  1  ruths ^  ivith  fome 
Errors,  but  that  it  was  not  the  common  Doilnne 
ivhich  the  Quakers  preached. 

I  then  flood  vip  and  (aid,  I  had  fomething  to 
fay  to  obviate  11^ hat  Gtoi^tt  Keith  wou Id  in/inuate; 
for  his  Drift  was  to  mfufe  an  Opinion  into 
them,  that  the  fakers  did  not  commonly 
preach  up  Faith  in  the  Manhood  of  Chrift,  as  I 
had  done  that  Day ;  I  appealed  to  the  Auditory, 
whether  they  thought  there  was  a  Neceffity 
frequently  to  prefs  a  Matter  fo  univerlally  re- 
ceived amongll  Chriilians,  as  Faith  in  the 
Manhood  of  Chriji  vuas  ?  Yet  we,  as  a  People, 
had  fo  often  and  clearly  demonftrated  our 
Faith  in  the  Manhood  of  Chrift,  both  in  our 
Teftimonies  and  Writings,  as  might  fatisfy  any 
unbiafTed  Perfon,  or  fuch  who  were  not  preju- 
diced againft  us;  and  we  know  not  of  any 
People  who  believe  more  fcripturally  in  the 
Manhood  of  Chrift  than  we  do :  But  inalrnuch 
as  the  Grace,  Light  and  holy  Spirit,  is  highly 
concerned  in  the  Work  of  Man's  Salvation,  as 

well 


(    I=t    ) 

well  as  what  Chrift  did  for  us  without  U5?,  and 
this  being  yet  much  a  Myltery  to  many  called 
Chriftians,  it  pleafes  God  to  open,  in  theCourie 
of  our  Miniftry,  into  the  Meaning  and  Myftery 
thereof,  and  to  prefs  the  latter  more  than  the 
former.  To  which  George  made  no  Reply,  but 
began  to  exhibit  his  Charges  againft  us  (as  men- 
tioned before)  and  faid,  he  could  prove  them  out  of 
our  Friends  Books ^  naming  George  Fox  and  Ed-^ 
•ward  Burroughs  &c.  He  had  in  a  Paper  a. 
great  many  Quotations  out  of  Friends  Books, 
and  a  young  Man  with  him  had  many  Books 
in  a  Bag,  out  of  ijuhich ^  he  faid,  he  %vouJd  prove- 
the  Charges  he  xvas  about  to  exhibit  againft  us. 

He  was   now  crowded   up  into  the  Gallery 
between  me  and  the  Rail,  with  a  Paper  in  his 
Hand ;  and  I   {landing   over  him,    and   being 
taller,  could  fee  his  Quotations   and  his  Para- 
phrafes  upon  them,  on  which  I  told  him  loudly, 
that  all  the  Meeting  might  hear.  That  he  offered 
Violence  to  that    Senfe  and  Underftanding  vuhich 
God  had  given  him^  and  he  knevu  in  his  Conjcience^ 
ive  were  not  that  People^  neither  "were  our  Friends 
Writings   either  damnable   or  blqjphemous^  as  he 
through    Envy  endeavoured  to  make    the  World 
believe ;  and  that  he  would  not  have  P^eace  in  Jo 
doings  but  Trouble  from   the  Lord   in    his   Con- 
,/cience.     I  fpoke   in,  the  Lord's  dreadful  Power, 
and  George  trembled  fo  much  as  I  feldom  ever 
faw  any   Man  do :  I  pitied  him  in  my  Hear:, 
yet,  as  Mo/es  fai'd  once  concerning  Ifrael^  I  felt 
the   Wrath  of  the  Lord  go  forth  againjl    him\ 

George 


(  1.2  ) 

George  faid,  Do  not  judge  me\  I  replied,  the  Lord 
judges^  and  all  ivho  are  truly  one  in  Spirit  ivith 
the  Lordy  cannot  but  judge  thee.  So  he  gavd 
ever,  and  it  appearing  a  fuitable  time  to  break 
lip  the  Meeting,  Friends  parted  in  great  Love, 
Tendernefs  and  Brokennefs  of  Kearc ;  for  the 
Lord's  mighty  Power  had  been  in  and  over 
the  Meeting  from  the  beginning  to  the  end 
thereof,  glorified  and  renowned  be  his  moft 
excellent  Name,  now  and  for  ever,  for  his 
Mercies  are  many  to  thofe  that  love  and  fear 
him  who  is  the  Fulnefs  of  all  Good. 

This  Meetmg  'tvas  not  only  for  Worjfhip,  but 
alfo  for  Bufinefs,  as  I  faid  to  the  People  at  our 
parting;  it  was  Friends  Monthly  Meeting,  in 
which  their  Poor,  Fatherlefs,  and  Widows, 
were  taken  Care  of,  and  fuch  other  Things  as 
concern  them  as  a  People.  Tv/o  Friends  w^re 
defired  to  ftay,  to  hear  what  George  had  to  fay  to 
them  who  remained,  which  laid  two  Friends  gave 
an  Account  to  us  afterwards,  that  George  faid  to 
the  People  after  we  were  gone,  that  the  Quakers 
had  left  none  to  dijpute  ivith  him  hut  an  Afs  and 
a  Fool ;  when  I  heard  it,  I  faid,  could  you  not; 
have  replied,  An  Afs  'was  on^e  inade  fufficient  /:■ 
reprove  the  Madnefs  of  the  Prophet, 

George  called  ^:o  fee  me  the  next  Day,  and 
faid,  You  had  the  Advantage  over  me  Ycfttrday^ 
for  you  perfnaded  me  to  he  quiet  until  you  had 
done^  and  then  you  vuould  not  Jlay  to  hear  me  : 
neither  indeed  were  we  under  any  Obligation 
fo  to  do:  I  told  him,  I  hoped  that  Truth  vuould^ 
always  have  the  Advantage  over  thofe  who  oppofcd 

\t', 


(         »23         ) 

a 

;/;    and  fo  we  parted,    but  met  again   upon 
Rhode- IJland  ;     the  Governor  of  which   Place, 
who  was  a  friendly  Man,  having  heard  of  my 
Intention  of  coming  thither,    ordered  the  De- 
puty-Governor,  when  I  came,  to   have  me  to 
liim,  which  he  did  ;  and  when  he  faw  me  at 
the  Door,  and  after  Enquiry  heard  my  Name, 
he  took  me   by  the  Hand   and  led  me   hke  a 
Brother,  or  rather  more  like  a  tender   Father, 
into  a  Room,    fetting  me  down  by  him,    and 
then  began  to  fay,    /  have  heard  much  of  you^ 
and  dejired  to  fee  you  long^  and  am  glad  you  are 
here,     I  finding  him  near  me  in  Spirit,  was  very 
open  in  m^y  Mind  to  him,   and  anfwered  him 
with    much    Clearnefs   and  Satisfaction.     I  re- 
member he  aflced.  Whether  I  thought  the  Sournefs 
in  the  Minds  of  the  Prefbyterians  againjl  us^  iim^ 
not  rather  abated  ?  I    told   him,    I  did  believe  it 
ivas;  and  If  our' Friends  did  but  obferve  to  ivalk , 
ivi/ely^  and  live  up  to  ivhat  they  p^ofejjed^  they 
would  overcome   it  all.     He  faid,  that  zvas  the 
ivay^  and  there  ivas  not  another  cofnparahle  to  it  ; 
and^  as  he  faid,  and  I  believe  it  was  fo,   he  had 
no  other   viezv  in  fendtng  for  me^  but  to  manifeji 
his  Refpecls  ^o  me^  and  to  do  yne  any  Service  that 
lay  in  his   Power:  I  told  him,   /  ivas  fcnftble  of 
his  Love^  and  wijloed  I  could  be  capable  of  reta- 
liating that  ivhick  in  Gratitude  his  Kindnefs    to 
rae  called  for :  He  faid^  he  defired  no  more  than 
ivhen  I  came  that  ivay  I  would  vifit  him^  if  he 
was  living,     I  told   him,  /  intended  fo  to  do^  if 
^vas  my  Lot  to  come  there  again.     I  then 
P*.  defired 


(  124         ) 

defired  he  would  be  at  the  Meeting  next  Day*^- 
George  Keith  propoling  to  be  there,  in  all 
likelihood  it  would  be  very  large ;  which  he- 
promlfed  he  would,  and  accordingly  came. 

George  m-ade  little  Difturbance  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Meeting,  but  commanded  the 
Governor  to  quiet  the  Quakers :  A  Prieil  faid, 
Mr.  Keith,  you  ought  not  to  comynand  the  Go'vernor^ 
but  intrcat  hi77i\  well  then,  he  intreated  the 
Governor  to  quiet  the  ^takers  that  he  might 
be  heard ;  whereupon  the  Governor,  like  a 
Man  of  Jufticc  and  Wifdom,  flood  up  and  faid^ 
It  ii'as  not  in  his  Power  to  quiet  the  Quakers  ; 
inajmuch  as  the  Hoiife  is  theirs^  and  they  ha*ve 
appointed  the  Meetings  it  is  but  reajonable  they 
JJjouId  ha've  their  Liberty^  and  if  they  be  ivtUing^ 
ivhen  they  have  done^  you  have  your  Liberty  to 
fay  zuhat  you  have  to  fay  to  thofe  uoho  ivill  jiay  to 
hear  you :  So  the  Governor  being  next  nie, 
leaned  his  Hand  upon  me,  and  went  away  in  a 
fober  Manner.  George  was  quiet,  and  \ve  had 
a  good  Meeting,  and  fo  parted.  * 

Afrer  moil  of  the  Friends  were  gone,  a 
Friend  and  I  went  to  the  Meeting-houfe  Door, 
to  hear  what  George  faid  ;  he  held  his  Bible  in 
his  Hand,  and  faid  it  was  promifed,  that  the 
Go/pel f}jou Id  be  preached  unto  every  Creature  under 
Heaven;  but  il  it  vias  truly  tranfated^  it  would 
he  in  every  Creature,  (not  in  every  Creature  as 
Horfe,  Cow,  &c.  but  in  every  rational  Creature 
of  Mankind:  )  And  then  their  Meeting  broke 
up  in  Confufion. 

^ly 


(  125  ) 

My  next  Remove  was  to  Long-I/land^  where 
I  met  with  Thomas  Story  and  John  Rodman ; 
John  defired  Thomas  and  me  to  be  affiftant  to 
him  in  preparing  a  Writing  againft  George  Keith^ 
when  he  came  to  Flujhhig  Meeting  upon  the 
aforefaid  Iiland,  which  Writing  was  to  this 
EfFecl,  viz. 

*'  Whereas  Colonel  Wejl\,  an  Inhabitant  in 
thefe  Parts,  who  died  and  made  Miles  Forfter 
a  Truilee,  gave  by  Will  a  coafideraole  S  im 
of  Money  to  poor  Friends  o^  London^  which 
Money  was  ordered  by  t^e  Teftato!'  ro  be  put 
into  the  H  inds  of  fome  faithful  Friends  of 
the  aforefaid  City  of  London^  to  Jiilributc  as 
above".  A  true  Copy  of  which  Wiii  we  ob- 
tained, and  at  the  Meecmg  madeitfaifly  appear 
to  George  Keith's  Face,  that^e  had  wronged  the 
Poor  in  receiving  Fifty  Pounds  of  the  aforefaid 
Money  of  Miles  Forjier^  as  appeared  under  Miles' s 
own  Hand ;  which  George  did  not  deny  when  he 
was  charged  with  it  in  the  Meeting,  as  knouuingly 
to  have  robbed  the  Poor ;  it  being  made  fairly  ap- 
pear, that  George  Keith  had  no  Right  to  meddle 
with  the  Money,  neither  as  a  faithful  Friend,  nor 
yet  as  a  poor  Friend  of  London^  becaufe  he  Was 
then  in  America  ; '  and  what  made  him  more 
incapable  of  claiming  any  part  of  it,  Vv\as  his  being 
goc  into  the  Spirit  of  Strife  and  Enmity  againjl 
Friends^  and  therefore,  before  they  could  hear 
his  Charges,  he  ought  to  have  firft  laid  down  the 
Money,  or  given  fuch  Security  as  Friends  ap- 
tiroved  of;  neither  of  which  he  vv'as  caoable  of 
doing  :  So  he  was  flighted  by  all  or  moll  of  the 

Peoplq 


(  126  ) 

People,  as  well  as  by  Friends,  and  this  blocked 
up  his  Way  fo  much   that  we  had   little  or  no 
Trouble  with  him  in  that  Part  of  the  World : 
But  the   Lord  wrought   for   his   Name's    Sake, 
and    the    Prefervatipn    of    his    tender    People, 
Praifes  and  Honor  to  be  given  to  his  great  Name, 
now  and  for  ever.     Thus  ended  this  Engage- 
ment betw^ixt  a  poor  Servant   of  Chrift,  and  a 
grand  Apoifate^  who    appeared  to  fight  againft 
lleafpn,    Senie   and   Cpnfcience.      Think  not, 
iny  Friends,  the*  Account  too  long,  for  it  hatK 
feemed  to  me,  for  fome  time,    a  Debt  due  to 
my  Brethren,   and  a  piece  of  Juflice  to  the  Me- 
mory of  George  Keith^  for  his  Wickednefs^  Re- 
n}olting^  and  iad  Apojlacy.     Few  there  are  whq 
can  believe   how  great  the  Power   of  Darkpefs 
and  Wickednefs  of  that  Mind  and  Spirit  was, 
which  poiTefTed  and  breathed  through  him ;  fo 
great  it  was,  that  even  the  coniiderate  and  fober 
People   faid,      they   did   not    think  that  George. 
Keith  had  beenfoivicked  a  Man  as  they  noiv  found 
he  "juas  upon  Trial.  Courteous  Friend  and  Read- 
er, hold  faft  that  which  thou  haft  received,  that 
none  may  take   tlij-  Crown,    for  it   is  laid  up 
in  Store  for  the  Righteous  only,  and  fuch  who 
hold  out   to  the  End,  in  the  fame  pure  Righ- 
teovifnefs  which  is  of  Chrift  wrought  and  con- 
tinued in  Man,  by  the  Operation  an-d  Indwell-, 
ing   of  his   holy   Spirit,     as    Man    abideth    in 
Subjedlion  and  Obedience  to  the  Leadings  and 
DiclatestheiTof. 

I  told  George^  that  /  ivas  much   a/Joamed   qf 
his  complimenting  great  People-^  for  I  obfcrvcd 

he 


(       1-7      ) 

he  fometlmes  faid  thee  and  thoii^  and  fometimes 
you^  and  5/r;  fometimes  put  his  Hat  off^  and 
fometimes  kept  it  on :  I  told  him,  before  I  ivould 
be  fo  unhandy^  if  I  intended  to  be  ceremonious,  / 
ivould  have  gone  to  School  a  ivhihy  before  I  would 
Jhame  my j elf  as  he  ha4  done.  If  I  have  not  wrote 
the  very  Words ^  in  al!  my  Accounts  in  the  pre- 
ceeding  Pages,  I  have  the  Subflance :  And  for  a 
Conclufion,  I  had  to  fay  to  George  Keith ,  The 
Hand  of  the  Lord  ivas  againji  him^  and  ivould 
folloiv  hini^  uhlefs  he  repented. 

This  Account  carries  ia  it  an  Admonition  to 
us,  and  to  Friends  in  future  Ages,  into  whofe 
Hands  it  may  come,  to  beware  of  letting  iii 
the  Spirit  of  Envy^  Prejudice^  and  Pride  of 
fleart^  which  I  clearly  faw  was  that  which. 
With  too  much  leaning  to  his  natural  Abilities 
'2iVidi  Learnings  was  his  Overthrow,  he  not  keep- 
ing to  the  Lord's  holy  Spirit,  the  Life  and 
Strength  of  his  faithful  People,  and  the  Key  of 
true  Knowledge,  the  good  Remembrancer,  and 
Leader  into  all  Truth,^  which  the  Lord  fees 
meet  in  his  wifdom  to  open  and  lead  us  into ; 
w^ithout  the  Help  of  which  Anointing  and  holy 
Spirit,  we  are  apt  to  be  cold  and  forgetful  in 
our  Duties  towards  God,  and  alfo  in  our  Love 
and  Duties  one  to  another:  but  as  the  Meafure 
of  this  Spirit  is  faithfully  kept  to,  and  im- 
proved, we  grow  more  and  more  fruitful  in 
every  good  Work  and  Word,  to  the  Glory  of 
God  and  Comfort  of  our  Souls,  and,  as  the  Salt 
cf  the  Earth,  help  to  feafon  thofe  who  are  nol 
fpfoncd. 

When 


(       128       ) 

When  I   was    in   the   Yearly-meeting  upon 
Jlhode^IJland^    there  was   a   Query  concerning 
what  Friends  might  do,    in  cafe  there  ihould  be 
a  Lay   or   Tax  laid  upon  the  Inhabitants   for 
building  fome  Fortifications,  and  to  provide  Men 
and  Arms  for  the  Security  of  the  Ifland  ?     Such 
a  thing  being  then  in  Agitation,  he,    who  was 
one  of  the  chief  Friends  concerned  in   Church- 
Affairs,  would  have  me  give  an  Account  what 
we  did  in  the  like  Cafe  in    England  \    for,  he 
faid,  they  in  that  Country  looked  upon  them- 
felves  but  as  the  Daughter^  and  Friends  here  in 
Old  England  as   their  Motb^r^    and  they    were 
willing  to  a6l  confiflent  with  us  as   far  as  they 
could,' and  would  know  how   we  did  there  ia 
that  Matter,  whether  we  could  pay  to  that  Tax 
which  was  for  carrying  on  a  vigorous  Waragainll 
Ff^ance?  I  was  unwilling  to  meddle  with  it,  as 
I  faid;  but  the  Meeting  waited  a  confiderahie 
time  for  my  Anfwer  (as  one  told  me)  and  was 
not   willing    to  go  forward  without  it ;   at   lall, 
when  I  could  not  well  do  otherwife,  I  fignificd 
to  that  large  Meeting,  That   I  had   heard    the 
Matter   debated    both     in    fuperior    and   interior 
Meetings^    and  privately^  •  and   the    mojl   g  enerul 
Refult  ivas  this\  Friends  did  not  fee  an  effedual 
Door  opened    to   avoid  the  Thing,    that    Tax- 
being  mixed    with  the    other  Taxes;    although 
many  Friends  are  not  fo  eafy  as  they  could  dejire : 
Neither  have  uue  any  further  Svuay  in  the  Governr- 
fnent,  than  only  giving  our  Voices  for  fuch  as  are- 
concerned   t herein  \    therefore^    as    Things    appear 
to   me^  there   is   a  ^reat  Difparity    between  our 

Circiiynjlancti 


(  129         ) 

Circumjlances  and  yours  here ;  for  you  ha^e  a 
great  Intereji  here^  and  a  great  Share  in  the 
Government^  and  perhaps  may  put  fuch  a  Thing 
by  in  'votings  confidering  the  Body  of  Friends^ 
and  fuch  as  are  friendly  ^  'whom  you  have  an  In- 
terefl  in ;  therefore  look  not  for  Help  from  the 
Mother,  njuh^rein  /he  is  not  capable  of  helping 
herfelf  and  thereby  negle£l  your  own  Buftnefs ; 
but  mind  your  oivn  Way  in  the  Truthy  and  look 
not  out.  Friends  appeared  well  fatisfied  with 
thefe  Diftindlions,  and  it  gave  me  fome  Eafe, 
in  that  I  had  not  hurt  any. 

During  my  ftay  in  one  of  the  jferfeys^  a  great 
Weight,  more  than  ufual,  felzed  upon  my 
Spirit,  as  I  fat  in  a  Meeting,  and  under  a  Scnfe 
of  the  fame  my  Cries  afcended  unto  the  Lord, 
the  Fountain  of  all  tender  Mercies,  that  he 
would  pleafe  to  fljevu  me  what  was  the  Caufe  of 
that  great  Power  of  Darknefs  which  did  fo  op-^ 
prefs  my  Spirit;  and  it  pleafed  the  Lord  to 
fhevu  me^  that  a  Man  there  had  been  guilty  of 
fome  grofs  Wiekednefs  ;  and  when  it  appeared 
clear  to  me,  to  be  required  of  me  to  exprefs  it 
publickly,  it  became  a  very  great  Excercife  to 
me,  and  fome  Reafonings  I  had,  before  I  gave 
up  to  make  it  publick  to  that  large  Meeting,  of 
Friends  and  other  People :  I  laboured  under  it 
till  towards  the  Conclufion  of  the  Meeting,  but 
finding  my  Peace  concerned  very  nearly  in  the 
Matter,  I  flood  up  in  the  Gallery  and  faid, 
Under  a  Senfe  of  fome  grofs  JVickedne/s  comrnitted 
by  fome  Perfon  not  far  from  me^  hath  my  Spirit 
been    borne  dawn ;    ivhich  iVickedneJs  will  in  a 

fhort 


(       130      ) 

Jh'>v'  Time  hrcak  forth  to  the  DiJIjonotir  of  Ttuth^ 
avid  Grief  of  Friends,  A  great  Man  who  fat 
ir;  the  Gallery  by  me,  ftarted  up  and  feaited 
himfelf  upon  the  Rail  of  the  Gallery,  with  his 
Eyes  fixed  on  me,  and  I  fa'ftned,  \n  the  Lord*s 
Dread,  my  Eyes  on  him,  and  faid,  We  have  a 
common  Maxim  in  Old  England,  Touch  a  galled 
HorJ'es  Edck^  and  he  will  kick^  and  I  am  of  the 
Opinion  be  that  kicks  is  not  clear.  He  got  down 
as  fall  as  he  could  out  of  my  way,  for  he 
not  only  prevented  me  from  the  View  of  the 
Meeting  by  fetting  there,  but  his  Uncleannefs 
flood  much  in  the  way  of  my  Serviceo 

After  the  Meeting  was  over,  feveral  worthy 
Friends  exprefled  to  me  the  great  Concern  they 
were  under,  left  he  fliould  either  by  Money, 
crby  Subtility,  conceal  the  Sin  and  Wickednefs, 
if  fuch  v^as  committed;  for  I  found  there  was  a 
great  Fear  and  jealoufy  in  the  Minds  of  Friends, 
that  fomething  was  wrong  with  the  Man,  but 
I  was  'till  then  altogether  a  Stranger  to  their 
Thoughts,  and  to  the  State  of  the  Man ;  yet  I 
advifed  tliat  Friends  fliould  have  a  watchful 
Eye  over  him  and  his  Family,  for  I  told  Friends, 
my  Spirit 'iz' as  enfy  in  *what  I  had  delivered^ -and 
I  believed  the  Evil  would  not  be  concealed.  So  in 
my  iteturn,  his  Houfe-keeper  had  broughtforth 
a  Child,  and  charged  him  with  being  the  Father 
of  it,  which  he  denyed  not:  Friends  then 
aficed  me,  what  they  faould  do  in  the  Cafe  ? 
1  /bid,  Let  the  Judgment  of  Truth  go  forth 
{tgamfl  all  manifcji  IVickednefs^  ivithout  rejpeci 
of  Ferjons^  that  the  ever  hlefjed  Truth^  and  Juch 

as 


(       13*       ) 

ns   live    in   it^  may  be   kept   clear   and  in  good 
FJleem  before  all  Men  as  much  as  may  he. 

Something  of  the  like  Exercife  I  met  with 
in  a  Meeting  in  Pennfylvania^  repeating  feveral 
times  ivhat  Opprejfion  my  Spirit  ivas  under ^  be- 
caufe  of  Jbme  yet  hidden  Wickednefs^  nvhich  in  a 
/hort  Time  would  he  brought  to  light^  to  the 
Blemijh  of  the  Truth^  and  great  Trouble  to 
Friends.  That  very  Evening,  after  the  Meet- 
ing, a  Women  little  thought  on  by  Friends  to 
be  guilty  of  fuch  a  Crime,  went  to  a  worthy- 
Friend  and  told  him,  She  ivas  the  W(rman  that  _ 
had  done  that  great  Vlickednefs  I  had  fo  much 
£omplained  of  and  had  borne  Juch  a  great  Load 
becaufe  thereof  \  and,  as  the  honed  Friend  faid, 
Ihe  wept  bitterly,  even  in  the  very  Anguifh  of 
her  Soul.  He  came  twelve  Miles  the  next  Day 
to  Philadelphia  to  acquaint  me  with  the  Matter, 
and  afk  my  Advice,  which  I  gave  to  this  Effect ; 
If  Friends  find  upon  Enquiry^  in  the  proper 
Seafon^  that  the  Woman  continues  heartily  forry^ 
and  truly  penitent  for  what  floe  hath  done^  for 
Godly  Sorrow  worketh  Repentance,  and  if 
from  Juch  a  hearty  and  penitent  Senfe  (which  is 
to  be  felt  beyond  Words)yZ?^  gave  forth  a  Paper 
ugainji  her  vuicked  Doings^  not  fo  much  to  ingra- 
tiate herfelf  into  Favour^  as  for  the  clearing  of 
Truth  and  Friends^  and  for  the  Eafe  and  Peace 
of  her  own  Mind^  and  took  the  Blame  and  Shame 
to  herfelf^  then  Friends  may  pafs  it  by ;  if  not^ 
Friends  muft  Jet  the  Judgment  of  Truth  over 
nianife/lWickednefs^  as  before  mentioned. 

S  I  went 


.      (         132         ) 

I  went  to  vlfit  a  Meeting  in  that  Part  called 
North  Wales^  which  had  not  been  long  planted 
in  that  Place,  where  there  was  a  fine  ten- 
der People,  but  few  underPcanding  Engli/Jj^ 
Roivland  Ellis  was  my  Interpreter;  a  good 
Meeting  it  was,  and  Truth  was  over  all  : 
Some,  by  the  Interpreter,  exprelTed  their  great 
Satisfadlion  in  our  Vifit  to  that  Meeting,  which 
heretofore  had  not  been  counted  as  Friends, 
but  fince  tha't  have  been  taken  Notice  of,  and 
grown  into  good  Eileem  with  the  Body  of 
'Friends. 

I  found  it  much  my  Work  to  be  concerned 
in  the  Difcipline  of  the  Church,  which  was 
very  low  in  many  Places,  yet  I  found  thete  was 
.  a  Willingnefs  in  many  Friends  Minds  to  be 
helped  in  that  needful  Affair,  for  furely  it  is  a 
good  Fence,  or  a  Help  to  keep  the  Righteous 
in,  and  hurtful  and  wicked  Things  and  Doings 
out,  if  the  fame  be  rightly  handled,  and  ex- 
tended as  it  ought  to  be,  in  the  Love  and 
WifdomofGod. 

There  was  one  Thing  I  had  like  t^  have 
omitted,  which  happened  when  I  was  in  Rhodes 
IJland^  viz.  one  Rogers  came  thither  to  offer  (as 
he  faid)  his  Gift  in  the  Tearly-yneeting  amongjl^ 
Friends ;  but  they  appearing  in  a  great  Strait 
about  him,  although  he  had  writ  in  Behalf 
of  Truth's  Principles,  and  fuffered  Imprifbn- 
ment,  and  the  taking  away  his  Wife  from  him, 
and  was  not  fo  much  as  fuffered  to  come  to 
^onverfe  with  his  own  Son,  but  under  a  Guard 
or  Watch  which   was  fet   over  him,    to  hear 

what 


(       ^33       j 

what  pafled  betwixt  them,  as  he  told  me  and 
fome  other  Friends,  which  Friends  faid  was 
true;  yet,  under  the  Confideration  of  the 
Matter,  and  Clearnefs  of  the  Man's  Converfa- 
tion,  Friends  remained  in  a  Scrait  what  to  do; 
and  defired  that  I  would  take  the  Matter  upon 
me,  and  reafon  the  Cafe  with  him,  and  try  if 
I  could  perfuade  him  to  be  eafy,  and  not  infift 
upon  any  fuch  Thing,  as  to  promije  to  7xceivc 
his  Gift  ;  for  othervvife,  he  faid,  he  nvould  go 
ivhere  it  ivoiildbe  received.  I  fhewed  him,  that 
it  was  a  Thing  impradlicable  among  us,  and 
in  itfelf  unreafonable,  that  we  fliould  be  by  any 
Pre- engagement  obliged  to  receive  that  which 
he  might  call  a  Gift^  before  we  heard  it;  if  he 
believed  he  had  a  Gift,  he  might,_;f^rak,  and, 
as  the  Apoftie  faid,  we  might  judg^:  For  it  was 
not  impoifible  but  he,  who  was  a  Scholar 
and  a  wife  Man,  and  had' a  ftrong  Memory, 
might  have  gathered  certain  PafTages  out  of  the 
Bible  or  other  Books,  with  what  other  Inter- 
pretations he  might  have  flored  up,  and  fpeak 
of,  and  call  a  Gift^  which  we  could  not  receive 
as  a  refil  Gift  of  the  Minifiryy  which  ftands  in 
the  Spirit  and  in  the  Power  and  if  it  be  fuch, 
it  will  make  way  for  itfelf;  if  not,  we  cannot 
receive  it.  So  he  went  away,  and  troubled 
Friends  no  more  that  I  heard  of. 

When  I  was  at  WiHiam  Penns  Country 
Houfe,  called  Pennshury  in  Pennfylvania^  w^here 
I  ftaid  tvv^o  or  three  Days,  on  one  of  v^rhich  I 
was  at  a  Meeting  and  a  Marriage,  and  much 
^f  the  other  Part  qf  the  Time  I  fpent  in  feeing 


{       134      ) 

(to  my  Satisfadlion)  William  Penn  and  many  of 
the  Indians^  (not  the  lead  of  them)  in  Council 
and  Confultation  concerning  their  former  Cove" 
nants  now  again  revived  upon  William  Penn^ 
going  away  for  England ;  all  which  was  done 
in  much  Calmnefs  of  Temper  and  in  an 
amicable  way.  To  pafs  by  feveral  particulars, 
I  may  rnention  the  following ;  one  was,  they 
never  frjl  broke  Covenant  with  any  People.\  for, 
as  one  of  ^hem  faid,  and  fmote  his  Hand  upon 
his  Head  three  times,  that  they  did  not  make 
them  there  in  their  Heads^  but  fmiting  his  Hand 
three  times  on  his  Breaft,  faid,  they  made  them 
(i,  e.  their  Covenants)  there  in  their  Hearts, 
And  again,  when  William  Penn  and  they  had 
ehded  the  mofl  weighty  Parts  for  which  they 
held  their  Council,  William  Penn  gave  them 
Match-Coats,  and  fome  other  Things,  Tyith 
fome  Brandy  or  Rum,  or  both;  which  was 
advifed  by  the  Speaker  for  the  Indians,  to  be 
put  in  the  Hand  of  one  of  their  CalTacks  or 
Kings,  for  he  knew  the  be  ft  hoiv  to  order  them ; 
which  being  done,  the  faid  King  ufed  no  Com- 
pliments, neither  did  the  People,  nor  the  reft 
of  their  Kings ;  but  as  the  aforefaid  King 
poujred  out  his  Drams,  he  only  rqade  a  Motion 
with  his  Finger,  or  fometimes  with  his  Eye, 
to  the  Perfon  which  he  intended  to  give  the 
Dram  to ;  fo  they  came  quietly  and  in  a  folic! 
manner,  and  took  their  Drams,  and  palTed  away 
without  either  Nod  or  Bow,  any  further  than 
NecefTity  required  them  to  ftoop,  who  were  on 
their  Feet,  to  him  who  fat  on  the  Ground  or 

Floor^ 


(      135      ) 

Floor,  as  their  Choice  and  Manner  is:  And 
withal  I  obferved  (and  alfo  heard  the  like  by- 
others)  that  they  did  not,  nor  I  fuppofe  never 
do  fpeak,  two  at  a  time,  nor  interfere  in  the 
lead  one  with  another  that  way  in  all  their 
Councils,  as  has  been  obferved.  Their  Eating 
and  Drinking  was  in  much  Stillnefs  and 
Quietnefs. 

I  much  defire  that  all  Chrijlians  (whether 
they  may  be  fnch  in  Reality  or  Profeffion  only) 
may  endeavour  to  imitate  thefe  People  in  thofe 
Things  which  are  fo  commendable,  which 
rpay  be  a  Means  to  prevent  Lo(s  of  Time  and 
expedite  Bufinefs ;  as  much  as  may  be  endea- 
vouring to  prevent  above  one  fpeaking  at  a  time 
in  Meetings  of  Conference  and  of  Bufinefs. 

When  much  of  the  Matters  were  gone 
through,  I  put  WiUiain  Penn  in  mind  to  enquire 
of  the  Interpreter,  if  he  could  find  fome  Terms 
or  Words  that  might  be  intelligible  to  them,  in 
a  religious  Senfe,  by  which  he  might  reach  the 
Underftandings  of  the  Natives,  and  inculcate  into 
their  Minds  a  Senfe  of  the  Principles  of  Truth, 
fuch  as  ChriJTs  manifejling  himfelf  to  the  inivard 
S^nfes  of  the  Soid^  by  his  Lights  Grace  or  holy  Spirit^ 
with  the  Manner  of  the  Operations  and  ivorking 
thereof  in  the  Hearts  of  the  Children  of  Men,  and 
how  it  did  reprove  for  Evil^  and  minifter  Peace 
and  Comfort  to  the  Soul  in  its  Obedience  and 
F/'e/l'doing ;  or,  as  near  as  he  could,  come  to 
the  Subftance  of  this  in  their  own  Language. 
William  Penn  much  prelTed  the  Matter  upon 
the  Interpreter  to  clo  his  beft,.  in  any  Terms, 

that 


(       136       ) 

that  might  reach  their  Capacities,  and  anfwer 
the  End  intended :  But  the  Interpreter  would 
not,  either  by  reafon,  as  he  alledged,  oi  Want  of 
Terms y  or  his  Unwillingnefs  to  meddle  in  religious 
Matters,  which  I  know  not,  but  I  rather  think 
the  latter  was  the  main  Reafon  which  obftruded 
him ;  therefore  we  found  nothing  was  like  to  be 
done  according  to  our  Defires  in  this  Matter, 
as  4:he  Interpreter  was  but  a  dark  Man,  and,  as 
William  Penn  faid,  a  ivrong  Man  jor  our  frejent 
Purpofe, 

William  Penn  faid,  he  underftood  they  owned 
a  Juperior  Power ^  and  afl^ed  the  Interpreter, 
What  their  Notion  was  of  God  in  their  O'lj^n 
Way?  The  Interpreter  iliewed,  by  making  fe- 
reral  Circles  on  the  Ground  with  his  Staff,  till 
he  reduced  the  laft  into  a  fmall  Circumfef  eiice, 
andplaced,  as  he  faid,  by  way  of  Reprelentacion, 
the  great  Man  (as  they  termed  him)  in  the 
middle  Circle,  fo  that  he  could  fee  over  all  the 
other  Circles,  which  included  all  the  Eiirrh, 
And  we  querying.  What  they  o'wnea  as  to  Ecer- 
nity,  or  ^future  State?  The  Interpreter  faid, 
They  believed  when  fuch  died  as  were  guilty 
of  Theft,  Svirearing,  Lying,  Whoring,  Murder, 
is^'C,  they  went  into  a  very  cold  Country,  where 
they  had  neither  good  fat  Venifon,  nor  Match 
Coats,  which  is  what  they  ufe  inftead  ot  Cloarhs 
to  cover  them  withal,  being  of  one  piece  in  tne 
form  of  a  Blanket  or  Bed-covering :  But  thofe 
-who  died  clear  of  the  aforelaid  Sins,  go  into  a 
fine  warm  Country,  where  they  had  good  fat 
Venifon  and  good  Match-Coats,  Things  much 

valued 


(     m    ) 

valued  by  thefe  Natives.  I  thought,  inafmuch 
as  thefe  poor  Creatures  had  not  the  Knowledge 
of -God  by  the  Scriptures,  as  we  have  who  are 
called  Chrijlians^  but  what  Knowledge  they 
had  of  xkitjupreme  Being  muft  be  by  an  inward 
Senfation,  or  by  contemplating  upon  the  Works 
of  God  in  the  Creation,  or  probably  from  fome 
Tradition  handed  down  from  Father  to  Son., 
by  which  it  appears,  they  acknowledge  a  future 
State  oi  Reivards  and  Punijhments\  the  former 
of  which  they  exprefs  by  Warmth^  good  Cloath'' 
ing  and  Food^  and  the  latter  by  Nakednefs^ 
pining  Hunger  and  piercing  Cold. 

I  have  often  thought  and  faid,  when  I  w^as 
amongft  them,  that  generally  my  Spirit  was  very 
eafy,  and  I  did  not  feel  that  Power  of  Darknefs 
to  opprefs  me,  as  I  had  done  in  many  Places 
among  the  People  called  Chrijlians, 

After  JVilliam  Penn  and  they  had  exprefled 
their  Satisfaction,  both  for  themfelves  and  their 
People,  in  keeping  all  their  former  Articles 
tinviolated,  and  agreed  that  if  any  particular 
Differences  did  happen  amongft  any  of  their 
People,  they  fhould  not  be  an  Occafion  of  fo- 
menting or  creating  any  War  between  William 
Penns  People  and  the  Indians^  but  Juftice  fhould 
be  done  in  all  fuch  Cafes,  that  all  Animofities 
might  be  prevented  on^.all  Sides  for  ever  ;  they 
went  out  of  the  Houfe  into  an  open  Place  not 
far  from  it,  to  perform  their  Cantico  or  V/orJJjip^ 
w^hich  was  done  thus  ;  Firft,  the  made  a  fmall 
i  ire,  and  the  Men  without  the  Women  fat 
lowu  about  it  inaRmg,  and  whatfoever  Obje£l 

they 


{       138      ) 

they  feveraliy  fixed  their  Eyes  on,  I  did  not  &€ 
them  move  them  in  all  tliat  part  of  their  Worfhip, 
while  they  fang  a  very  melodious  Hymn,  which 
afFe(5led  and  tendered  the  Hearts  of  many  wha 
were  Spectators  :  When  tliey  had  thus  done, 
they  began  (as  1  fuppoie  is  their  vifual  manner) 
to  beat  upon  the  Ground  with  little  Sticks,  or 
make  fome  Motion  with  fomething  in  their 
Hands,  and  paufe  a  little,  till  one  of  the  elder' 
Sort  fets  forth  his  Hynm  ;  and  that  being  fol- 
lowed by  the  Company  for  a  few  Minutes,  and 
then  a  Paufe ;  and  then  the  like  was  done  by 
another,  and  fo  by  a  third,  and  followed  by 
the  Company,  as  at  thefirft;  which  feemed  ex- 
ceedingly to  afFecfl  them  and  others.  Having 
done,  they  rofe  up  and  danced  a  little  about 
the  Fire,  and  parted  with  fbme  Shouting  like  a 
Triumph  or  Rejoicing. 

I  leave  Pennjbury^  but  intend,  before  I  leave 
the  Indians^  to  fay  fomething  more  concerning 
that  People,  which  I  met  with  near  Caleb 
Fiijy^  Houfe  in  Pennfyt'uania^  viz.  I  being- 
walking  in  the  Woo  J,  efpied  leveral  Wigwams 
or  Houfes  of  the  Indians^  and  drew  towards 
them,  but  could  not  converfe  with  them;  but 
looking  over  them  in  the  Love  of  God,  I  found 
it  to  be  niy  Way,  as  I  apprehended,  to  look 
for  an  Interpreter  and  go  to  them  again,  v^hich 
I  did ;  and  when  I  came  to  them,  and  fignified 
that  1  tsas  come  from  a  far  Country,  W-^ith  a 
Meilage  from  the  great  Man  above  (as  they 
call  God)  and  my  MefTage  was  to  endeavour 
to  perfuade  them,  that  they  Jhould  notbe  Drimk^ 


(       139      ) 

ardSy  nor  fieal^  nor  kill  one  another^  nor  fight ^ 
nor  commit  Adultery^  7ior  "put  a^way  their  Wives^ 
efpecially  for  Jmalt  Faults^  which  (as  I  under- 
ftood)  is  ufual  with  them  to  do;  for  if  they  did 
thoje  Things^  the  great  and  good  Man  above  ivoidd 
he  angry  ivith  thcm^  and  ^vould  not  proffer  them^ 
but  bring  Trouble  on  them\  but  if  they  "were 
carejid  to  refrain  thefe  Evils  (before  mentioned) 
then  ivoiild  God  love  thent^  and  profper  them^  ojid 
J  peak  Peace  to  them ;  or  very  near  thefe  Words, 
And  when  the  Interpreter  exprefled  thefe  Things 
to  them  in  their  own  Language,  they  wept, 
and  Tears  ran  down  their  naked  Bodies,  and 
they  fmote  their  Hands  upon  their  Breafts  and 
I  perceived  faid  fomething  to  the  Interpreter :  I 
alked  ivhat  they  faid?  He  told  me  they  faid, 
all  that  I  had  delivered  to  them  voas  good^  and  ex-- 
cept  the  great  Man  had  fent  me^  I  could  not  have 
told  them  thofe  Things;  I  defired  the  Interpreter 
to  afk  them,  hoiv  the  knetv  ivhat  I  had  faid  to 
them  vuas  good?  they  repHed,  and  fmote  their 
Hands  on  their  Breads,  the  good  Man  here" 
(meaning  in  their  Hearts)  told  them  tvhat  I  had 
faid  vuas  all  good.  They  manifefted  much  Love 
to  me  in  their  Way,  and  I  beheve  the  Love  of 
God  is  to  them,  and  all  People*  in  the  Day  of 
their  Vifitation. 

Having  left  them,  I  came  to  a  Friend^s  Houfe 
iTi  the  lower  part  of  Pennfylvania^  who  was  in 
the  OfBce  of  a  Juftice  of  Peace,  and  had  been 
convinced  not  long  before  by  Thomas  Story : 
When  I  came  into  the  Houfe,,  the  Man's  Wife 
was  very  uneafy  and  called  me  a  Deceiver^  and 

T  wrunia: 


(      i4e      ) 

wr'ung  her  Hands  and  faid,  Woe  is  me^  I  ant 
undone^  my  Hujband  is  deceived ;  and  what  more 
Deceivers  come  ?  Oh  how  fhe  lamented.  I  was 
fomewhat  ftruck  with  the  Paffion  the  poor 
Woman  was  in,  however,  I  faid  little  but  fat 
down,  and  after  fome  time  it  role  in  my 
Mind  to  a(k  her,  In  ivhat  her  Hujband  was  de^ 
ceived;  was  he^  Jince  he  ca7?ie  among  us^  any 
worje  Hufband  to  her  ?  if  he  ivaf^  it  iims  a 
bad  Sign  ;  or,  *u^as  he  a  worfe  Father  to  his 
Children  ?  or,  any  nvorje  Nei^  hbour  ?  or,  in  any 
particular  thing  ivhich  Jhe  could  name^  changed 
Jrom  better  to  ivorje^  ftnce  he  was  convinced  of 
the  Truth  ?  if  not^  Jhe  had  no  great  Reajon  to 
complain :  If  he  had  turned  Drunkard,  Whore- 
monger, Railer,  Fighter,  or  become  a  vicious 
Man,  Jhe  would  have  had  Rectfon  to  complain ; 
but  Ihe  honeftly  owned,  /he  had  nothing  to 
charge  him  ivith.  He  fat  by  me  and  heard  all 
our  difcourfe,  but  faid  nothing.  I  told  her, 
Jhe  had  made  a  lam eJit able  Outcry  about  her  Huj- 
band's  being  deceived,  but  had  not  convinced  me 
of  any  Cauje  that  Jhe  had  received  Jrom  her  Hif- 
band  for  kerjore  Complaint, 

Being  weary,  having  rid  a  great  way  that 
Day,  I  with  my  Companion  Richard  Orm 
took  leave  of  her  Hufband  and  went  to  our  Reft, 
and  faw  him  no  more  till  the  next  Day  in  the 
Evening,  and  when  he  came,  I  aflied  him. 
For  what  Reajon  he  lejt  us  Jo  long^  as  he  knew 
how  iineajy  his  Wije  *was  about  us^  and  that  ive 
had  a  great  ivant  of  him  ?  He  faid,  he  had  been 
givifig  JSIotice  of  the  Meeting    twenty  Miles    one 

*way 


(       HI       ) 

way^  and  two  Men  had  given  Notice  as  far^  each 
Man  his  way ;  that  was  Six-fgore  Miles  in  and 

out. 

Our  Landlady,  againft  we  rofe  in  the  Morn- 
ing, had  got  another  Woman,  a  Juftice's  Wife, 
to  help  her  to  difpute  with  us,  and  overthrow 
us,  as  fhe  hoped,  but  in  vain,  for  Truth  proved 
too  hard  for  them ;  although  the  other  Woman 
charged  high  in  the  Morning,  and  faid,  ive 
li-^ere  no  Ghriftians.  I  faid,  it  ivas  eafier  to 
charge  than  to  prove ;  hozv  do  you  prove  it  ?  Be- 
cauje^  faul  they,  you  deny  the  precious  Ordinance 
of  Je/us  Chri/l,  I  afked,  if  th^  could  prove  it 
to  be  fuch?  they  faid,  they  did  not  queffion  but 
thi^y  could.  I  faid,  they  fhould  do  it  from  plain 
Texts  of  Scripture^  verbatim  as  it  lleSy  ivithout 
any  Inferences^  Confequences^  or  Comments  upon 
the  Places  they  infijled  upon ;  and  they  agreed  to 
it.  Buty  in  Cafe^  1  told  them,  they  Jhould  fail 
and  not  prove  (as  they  thought  they  could)  that 
Ordi nance  to  be  fo  appointed  by  Chrijl^  I  hoped 
then  they  would  allovi)  us  to  be  Chriftians,  notwith* 
Jlanding  'what  they  had  charged  to  the  contrary ; 
and  they  faid,  they  ivould^ 

I  then  repeated  all  the  Preliminaries,  and  afked 
them,  if  they  ivould  agree  to  each  particular  ? 
they  faid,  they  would.  I  defired  Richard  Qnn  to 
mindtiiem,  and  imprint  them  as  much  as  might 
be  in  his  Memory,  for  it  was  like  enough  we 
Ihould  have  Occafion  to  call  them  in  Queftion 
before  we  had  done,  which  came  to  pafs  not 
long  after  we  began;  they  urged  the  28th  of 
Matthew  in  defence  of  Water  Baptifm,  where 

Chrift 


(      H^      )     \ 

Chrift  fciid  to  his  Difciples,  Go  y\  therefore  and 
teach   all  Nations^  baptiziiig   theni\  in  the  Name 
of  the  Father^  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the   Holy 
Ghofi :  Teaching  them  to  ohfei've  aWThings  "what- 
foever  I  have  commanded  you  :  And  lo  I  am  ivith 
you  alway,  even  unto  the  End  of  the  World,  Water 
not  being  mentioned,  the  Difputants  were  at  a 
ftand,  and  laid  it  miifi  be  implied',  I  fliewed  them, 
that  by   their  Agreement  to  the  Prehminaries, 
there  were  to  be  no  Inferences,  but  plain  Scrip- 
ture. I  told  them,  it  ivas  an  unreafonahle  Thing  to 
-undertake  to  unchriftian  a  great  Body  of  religious 
People  by  a  fevo  Inferences,  which  might  be  trne^ 
or  not  true.     Now  when  they  had  tugged  at  it, 
and  fearched  the  New  Teftament  a  great  while, 
they  could  not  find  what  they  defired,  although 
they   urged  what  Peter  faid  in  a   certain  cafe,  • 
Tl  ho  can  forbid    Water,    that    thefe  Jhoidd  not 
be  baptized,  vuho  have  received  the  Holy  Ghofi  as 
ijuell  as  vue?  I   fhewed  them,  that  there  was  a 
great  Dfparity  bettveen  a  Servant's  ^eflion,  and 
a  Mafier's   Command,'    ^\i^vi   they   were  even 
weary    with  learching,    and  could   not  find  a 
pofitive  Ordination  by   Chrift   for  IV at er- Bap- 
tifm,  they   gave  it  over,  and  I  afked  them.  If 
they  had  not  i alien  Jhort  of  the  Proof  of  vuhat 
they  had  fo  boldly  charged  upon  us  in  the  Morn- 
ing ?    My  Landlady  confefled,  they  had  fallett 
fbort  of  their  Expe8atio7i ;    but   the  other  ni^as 
in  the  Mind,  as  fhe  faid,  that  it  anight  be  proved: 
I  told  her,  dje  could  not  prove  it  from  any  plain 
Text  of  Scripture, 

My 


(       H3      ) 

My  paffionate  Landlady  became  more  meek 
and  friendly,  and  received  the  Truth  in  the 
Love  of  it:  We  had  a  good  Meeting  the 
next  Day,  and  fhe  faid,  If  I  ivoidd  Jiay  that 
Nighty  I  Jldould  he  as  ivelcome  as  her  o'wn  CbiU 
dren ;  hut  if  not^  floe  blef  the  Lord  for  my  Com-' 
fany^  and  the  Good  floe  had  already  recewed  by 
.me^  and  parted  with  me  in  much  Brokennefs 
of  Heart ;  and  I  heard  ihe  lived  and  died  in 
good  Unity  with  Friend-e.  But  oh,  how  glad 
was  her  Hiifband  to  fee  that  great  and  fudden 
Change  wrought  in  her  !  it  was  the  Lord's 
Doings ;  to  him  be  the  Praife  nov/  and  for  ever, 
for  he  alone  is  worthy. 

I  had  many  comfortable  Meetings  in  my 
Travels  through  thefe  Provinces,  and  good  Ser- 
vice. We  were  at  a  Yearly-meeting  at  Third- 
haven  in  Maryland  upon  the  Eaft^rn  Shore,  to 
which  Meeting  for  Worfhip  came  with  William 
Penn^  Lord  Baltimore  and  his  Lady  wath  their 
Retinue,  but  it  was  late  when  they  came,  and 
the  Strength  and  Glory  of  the  heavenly  Power 
of  the  Lord  was  going  off  from  the  Meeting ; 
fo  the  Lady  was  much  difappointcd,  as  I  under- 
ftood  by  JVilliam  Petiiiy  for  flie  told  him,  She 
did  not  ivarU  to  hear  him^  and  fuch  as  he^  for  he 
ivas  a  Scholar  and  a  nvife  Man^  and  fhe  did  not 
que/lion  but  he  could  preach  ;  but  fne  ^wanted  to 
hear  Jome  of  our  Mechanicks  preachy  as  Huf* 
bandmen.  Shoe-makers,  and  Juch  like  Pv.ufticks ; 
for  ffje  tJjought  they  could  not  preach  to  any 
purpofe.  B^iliiajn  Penn  told  her,  Jome  of  thefe 
nvere   rather  the  beft^  Preachers  we  iMd  amongjl 

nsi 


{      144      ) 

us ;  or  near  thefe  Words.  I  was  a  little  in  their 
Company,  and  1  thought  the  Lady  to  be  a 
notable,  wife,  and  withal  a  courteoully  carnaged 
Woman.  1  was  alio  in  Company  with  tiie 
Governor  of  Virginia^  at  our  Friend  Richard 
Johns  Houl'e  upon  the  Weft  Cliffs  in  Maryland^ 
for  we  both  lodged  there  one  Night,  and  I 
heard  that  he  had  been  ftudious  in  a  Book 
againft  Friends,  called  the  Snake^  and  Friends 
greatly  defired  he  might  have  the  Anfwer  called 
the  Sivitchy  but  knew  not  how  to  be  io  free 
with  him  as  to  offer  it  to  him ;  I  told  Friends 
/  would  endeanjour  to  make  way  for  it,  Altho' 
he  had  feemed  to  be  a  Man  of  few  Words,  yet 
at  a  fuitable  Interval  I  faid  to  him,  /  had  heard 
that  he  had  feen  a  Book  called  the  Snake  in  the 
Grafs  ;  he  confeffed  he  had,  I  defired  he  *would 
accept  of  the  Anlwer,  and  be  as  Jludious  in  it  as 
be  had  been  in  the  Snake;  which  he  promife4 
he  ivould^  and  took  the  Book. 

There  happened  a  Paffage  worthy  of  note, 
either  in  this  or  the  preceeding  Governor's 
Time  in  Virginia^  as  I  was  credibly  informed, 
which  was  thus ;  The  Governor  wanted  a 
Cooper  to  mend  his  Wine,  Cider,  and  AleCaflts, 
and  fome  told  him  there  was  a  Workman  near, 
but  he  was  a  ^aker;  he  faid,  if  he  was  a 
Workman,  he  made  no  matter  what  he  pro- 
feffed ;  fo  the  Quaker,  fiich  as  he  was,  was  fent 
for,  and  came  w^ith  his  Hat  under  his  Arm : 
The  Governor  was  fome  what  at  a  ftand  to  fee 
the  Man  come  in  after  that  Manner,  and  afked, 
J/  he  was  the  Cooper  he  had  fent  for?  lie  faid. 

Yes, 


(       H5      ) 

Tes.  Well^  faid  the  Governor,  are  not  you  a 
Quaker?  Tef^  replied  the  Man,  lam  Jo  called^ 
but  f  have  not  been  f2LithfuL  Hethenafked,  How 
long  have  you  been  called  a  Quaker  ?  The  poor 
Man  faid,  About  tuuenty  Tears.  Alas  for  you^ 
foor  Man  !  faid  the  Governor,  /  am  Jorry  for 
you. 

By  this  we  may  clearly  fee,  that  fuch  who 
walk  moft  up  to  what  they  profefs,  are  in  mofl: 
Efteem  among  the  more  thinking  and  religious 
People ;  and  the  unfaithful  and  loofe  libertine 
Profeflbrs  of  the  Truth  are  flighted,  and  I  be- 
lieve will  be  more  and  more  caft  out  as  the 
unfavoury  Salt^  which  is  good  for  nought  in 
Religion,  and  is  indeed  trodden  under  the  Feet 
of  Men ;  for  a  great  Part  of  the  Men  in  the 
World  have  fuch  an  Underftanding  as  to  know 
what  we  profefs,  and  alfo  what  we  fhould  do 
and  be  in  many  Things ;  let  us  therefore  walk 
wifely  before  all,  and  not  be  an  Occafion  of  ft  urn-- 
blingy  nor  give  Offence  either  to  Jew  or  Gentile^ 
nor  to  the  Church  of  God^  that  fo  we  may  in- 
deed be  as  a  City  fet  upon  a  Hilly  which  cannot 
be  hid\  nay,  that  may  not  defire  to  be  hid,  but 
rather  that  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Earth  might 
fee  our  good  Works,  and  have  an  Occafion  from 
thence  adminiflred,  to  glorify  the  Father  zvhicb 
is  in  Heaven, 

I  having  it  on  my  Mind  to  vifit  a  Meeting 
up  the  River  called  Perquimus  on  the  Wefl  Side 
of  the  great  River  Choptank^  and  I  being  on  the 
Eaft  Side,  Henry  Hofter  and  fome  more  Friends 
fet  forward  with  me  in  a  fmall  Boat,  not  in 

good 


(       h6      ) 

good  Condition  but  crazy,  with  only  one  fmall: 
Sail :  We  fet  out,  as  we  thought,  in  good  time 
to  reach  our  defired  Port,  but  when  wc  were 
upon  the  great  River  (as  I  remember  'tis  tea. 
Miles  over  the  fliorteft  way,  but  the  manner  of 
our  crofling  it  made  it  more)  the  wind  veered 
much  againft  us,  being  then  within  about  four 
Points  of  our  Courfe,  and  it  rained  hard,  and 
was  very  dark,  fo  that  we  could  fcarce  fee  one 
another,  and  the  Water  broke  fo  into  the  Boat, 
that  it  was  moft  of  one  ]V(an's  Work  to  heave 
it  out,  and  all  our  Company  were  difcouragecl, 
and  moft  of  them  very  Sea-fick;  Henry  Hojier^ 
of  whom  I  had  the  moft  Hopes  for  Help,  faid, 
that  he  could  not  fteer  the  Boat  any  longer.  What 
by  the  extream  Darknefs,  the  Roughnefs  of  the 
Waves,  Boifteroufnefs  of  the  Wind,  and  hard 
Rain,  I,  unwell  as  I  \Tas,  was  obliged  to  under- 
take the  fleering  of  the  Boat,  and  not  without 
fome  Confli(Ss  of  Mind,  not  having  any  Cer- 
tainty, from  any  outward  Rule,  what  Way  we 
went;  having  no  Fire,  and  the  Boat  being 
open,  we  could  not  have  any  Light  to  fee  our 
Compafs,  but  my  Faith  was  in  the  Lord,  th^t 
he  would  bring  us  to  lliore;  and  I  kept  the 
Boat  as  near  the  wind  as  flie  would  fail,  and 
told  my  poor  lick  and  helpleis  Com.pany,  / 
believed  that  ixic  Jlooidd  not  feripj^  although  ive 
inight  mijs  of  our  Port :  But  the  like  imminent 
Danger,  I  think,  I  was  never  in  before  upon 
any  Water ;  but  renowned  over  all  be  the  great 
Name  of  the  Lord  for  ever,  v^^e  put  into  the 
Mouth  of  our  delired  Paver  Perqznmus    as  tho' 

we 


t       M7      ) 

^^e  had  feen  it  in  the  Day,  or  fleered  by  a 
Compaft,  neither  of  which  we  had  the  Benefit 
of  for  feveral  Hours. 

Here  we  went  afhore  and  made  a  great  Fire 
under  the  River's  CHfF,  and  about  Midnight  the 
Moon,  rofe,  and  it  cleared  np  and  froze,  ^nd 
was  very  cold :  My  Companions  tailing  afleep, 
I  turned  them  over,  and  pulled  them  from  the 
Fire  as  it  increafed,  and  put  them  nearer  as  it 
failed,  but  could  not  keep  them  awake;  I 
fought  Logs  of  Wood,  and  carried  them  to  and 
minded  the  Fire,  V;hich  was  work  enough  for 
the  remaining  part  of  the  Night ;  but-  Morning 
being  come,  we  got;  into  our  cold  icy  Boat  and 
failed  away  towards  the  Meeting.  When  we 
were  come  among  Friends,  Notice  was  given 
of  a  Stranger  being  there,  and  a  heavenly  and 
fweet  Meeting  it  was,  fo  that  we  thought  we 
had  a  good  Reward  for  all  our  Trouble,  blelTed 
be  the  Name  of  the  Lord  now  and  for  ever, 
for  he  is  worthy:  Although  he  may  fee  good 
to  try  us,  fometimes  one  way  and  fometimes 
another,  how  fhould  we  know  that  we  have 
any  Faith,  if  Jit  be  not  tried  ?  How  fliall  we 
know  that  we  hav€  any  true  Love  to  God,  if  it 
never  be  proved  ?  The  Trial  of  the  true  Believers 
Faith  is  more  precious  than  Gold.  The  ex- 
cellent Sayings  of  Job  came  into  my  Mind, 
Behold^  I  go  forivard^  but  he  is  not  there ;  and 
hackivard^  but  I  cannot  perceive  him :  On  the 
left  Hand^  nvhere  he  doth  ivork^  but  I  camict 
he  hold  him  :  He  hideth  himfelf  on  the  right  Handy 
'hat  I  cmmt  fee  him^  Job  xxiii.  8,  9,  Aad  then 

U  in 


(      148      ) 

111  Verle  the  loth,  he,  hke  a  Man  in  the  true 
Faith,  faith,  The  Lord  knoijutth  the  Way  that  1 
take;  and  when  he  has  tried  me^  I  pjall  come 
forth  as  Gold:  And  the  more  vehement  that 
the  Fire  is,  the  more  it  deftroys  the  Drofs,  and 
the  more  pure  and  weighty  the  Gold  is,  which 
hath  paft  through  the  mofl  fevere  Fires.  Read 
thou,  and  underftand  this  that  canfl:. 

I  had  a  Meeting  when  in  Virginia^  at  a 
Friend*s  Houfe  whofe  Name  was  Mattheiv 
Jordan^  and  fomething  which  I  faid  in  the 
Meeting,  foriiewhat  offended  a  young  Woman 
a  Presbyterian^  and  not  having,  as  fhe  faid,  a 
fuitable  Opportunity  while  I  was  there,  to  dif- 
courfe  with  me,  being  bufy  in  her  Matter's  Af- 
fairs, (for  Ihe  was  the  Friend's  Houfe-keeper) 
ilie  defired  Liberty  of  her  JMafter  to  go  to  the 
next  Meeting,  that  there  flie  might  eafe  her 
Mind  to  me  about  the  Offence  I  had  given  her 
in  the  firft  Meeting;  (it  was  fomething  about 
EleSiion^  and  they  told  me  what  it  was,  but 
not  writing  it  down,  it  went  from  me)  and 
accordingly  ffie  came  to  the  Meeting,  where  the 
Lord's  mighty  Power  broke  in  upon  us,  to  the 
tendring  of  many  Hearts,  to  Friends  mutal  Satis- 
fadlion,  and  it  proved  a  good  Day  to  the  aforefaid 
young  Woman ;  her  heart  was  as  if  it  had  melted 
within  her,  and  flie  flied  many  Tears,  and  I 
am  fatisfied  went  from  the  Meeting  in  Fear  and 
in  great  Joy  ;  in  Fear^  how  to  walk  as  not  to 
offend  Chrift  the  EleB^  which  before  fhe  could 
talk  of,  but  now  flie  had  met  with,  and  he  had 

opened 


(      149      )  -^^ 

opened  her  State  to  her  :  And  J^7,  that  (he  had 
met  with  the  Melfiah,  the  Ele5l  of  the  Father^ 
his  choice  and  beloved  Son ;  fo  that  ilie  could 
now  fay,  Where  are  the  Wije?  Where  is  the 
Scribe?  Where'  is  the  Di/puter  of  this  World  > 
All  her  briik  talkative  Qualities  were  fwallowed 
up  in  the  feeling  of  the  internal,  enlightning 
Prefence  of  Chrift. 

When  Ihe  returned  to  I:^r  Mafter's  (before 
mentioned)  he  afked  her,  If  Jhe  had  got  Satis- 
faMion  ?  meaning,  had  fhe  had  any  difcourfe 
with  me  and  was  fatisfied  ?  She  replied,  She  was 
fatisfied.  Some  Time  after  I  met  with  her  irv 
Philadelphia^  plain  and  Tri^th-like,  but  knew 
not  who  Ihe  was  at  firft.  The  Manner  of 
the  Working  of  the  Truth  is  to  humble  the 
Creature,  and  bring  it  into  Coutrition,  Tendei:- 
nefs,  and  Fear,  with  true  Self-denial. 

I  come  now  to  mention  fomethixig  that  hap- 
pened in  my  going  over  fames\  Riv^r^  towards 
a  Yearly-meeting  in  Virginia:  Alighting  at  an 
Inn  by  the  River-fide,  where  we  refrefhed  our- 
felves,  there  was  a  poor  little  Child  cried  fo 
exceedingly,  that  I  was  uneafy  to  hear  it,  and 
aflced  the  Mother  what  was  the  matter  ?  She 
faid,  it  had  cried  moft  of  the  Time  fince  it  was 
born,  and  they  were  almoft  off  their  Feet  with 
it,  or  to  that  efFed.  I  told  her,  I  believed  I 
could  give  the  Child  fomething  which  would 
do  good,  and  fhe  readily  agreed  to  it,  and 
I  gave  it  a  little  of  fomething  then,  and  ordered 
her  to  give  it  twice  more  in  four  or  fiv^  Days 

time 


(     ^s^     ) 

time:  But  when  I  returned,  the  C4hild  was 
better,  and  oh!  how  glad  the-poor  Woman  was 
to  fee  me,  and  fpoke  more  in  my  Commend- 
ations than  wa^  to  my  Satisfacflion,  and  was 
kind  to  Friends  afterward  for  my  fake. 

Now  w^e  came  to  ferry  over  the  River,  being, 
as  I  remember,  five  Horfes  and  nine  People ; 
there  was  Jane  Plea/ant  a  publick  Friend,  and 
her  Man-fervant  who  rid  before  her  upon  a 
great  Horfe,  and  high  in  Flefli,  and  about  the 
Midft  of  the  River,  it  being  two  Miles  over, 
he  rofe  upon  his  hind  Feet,  and  flung  himfelf 
upon  the  Edge  or  Gunnel  of  the  Boat,  half  into 
the  River;  the  Fall  of  the  Horfe,  and  the 
Motion  of  the  other  Horfes  thereupon,  caufed 
l:he  Boat  to  rnake  fuch  Sallies  that  it  took  in 
Water,  and  was  very  likely  to  fink:  But  be- 
fore he  could  have  Time  to  rife  again,  or  to 
make  any  more  Springs,  I  took  feveral  young 
Men  by  the  Shoulders,  and  flung  them  upon 
his  Neck  to  keep  him  down,  and  told  them, 
as  faft  as  I  could,  why  I  did  fo.  Now  I  ha4 
to  deal  with  the  Ferry-man,  who  was  about 
to  fi:rip  for  fwimming,  and  faid  ijue  Jloould  all 
he  droivned'^  hut  for  his  Part  he  could  fwim\ 
and  was  about  to  leap  into  the  River,  for^  he 
faid,  the  Boat  'would  either  break  or  fink.  I  told 
him,  //  IS) as  foon  enough  for  him  to  fijuim^  *when 
he  faw  the  Boat  either  break  or  fink^  and  if  he 
ivould  not  row^  then  I  ivould :  With  much 
Intreaty  he  took  the  Oar  again  and  rowed  us 
to  the  Shore.  But  in  our  imminent  Danger  I 
looked  over   my  tender   Friends,  (for   fo  they 

appeared 


(       i5t       ) 

appeared  to  me)  and  thought  in  my  Heart  what 
a  Pity  it  would  be,  if  all  thefe  were  drowned ! 
yet  the  Thought  of  my  own  drowning  never 
entered  my  Mind,  until  I  was  got  over  the 
River,  which  was  a  Mercy  to  me,  and  a  great 
Means  to  keep  out  Difbrder  and  Confufiorf^ 
which  commonly  attend  fudden  Surprizes  and 
Frights,  or  elfe  they  make  People  dead-hearted 
and  almoft  fenfelefs. 

As  I  had  now  an  Occafion  to  pbferve,  as  well 
as  in  fome  imminent  Dangers  I  had  ic^n  before, 
where  I  happened  to  be,  I  find  it  an  excellent 
thing  to  be,  as  much  as  we  cap,  always  ready, 
and  by  being  frequently  thinking  upon  Death, 
it  is  not  fo  furprifing  when  it  does  come :  This 
is  a  great  Point  of  true  Wifdom,  to  nwnber  our 
Days  fo^  as  to  remember  our  latter  EncL  The 
want  of  thus  contemplating  and  truly  thinking 
on  what  Preparation  we  are  in  to  look  Death  in 
the  Face,  and  to  appear  before  the  great  Judge 
of  both  Quick  and  Dead,  was  the  Caufe  of  the 
Complaint,  Oh  I  that  my  People  ivere  tvije^  that 
they  underjlood  this^  that  they  would  conftder  their 
latter  End.  The  great  Remifnefs  of  liichCon- 
fiderations  among  People,  befpeaks  Folly  and 
great  Infenfibility,  and  that  the  Heart  is  hard- 
ened through  an  Habit  of  finning ;  oh  !  that  I 
might  prevail  with  the  Children  of  Men  to 
awake.  Arife,  you  that  fleep  in  Sin,  and  are  at 
eafe  therein,  that  yx)u  may  come  to,  hear  in- 
wardly the  Call  of  the  Son  of  God,  that  your 
Souls  may  not  only  live  here  to  ferve  God,  but 
^Ifo  may  live  eternally  in  Blifs  with  him,  is  the 

Defire 


(         152         ) 

Defire  of  my  Soul  for  the  whole  Bulk  of  Man** 
kind ;  for  my  Life  has  often  appeared  not  dear 
to  me,  in  Comparifon  of  the  faving  of  the  Souls 
of  the  Children  of  Men. 

I  have  often  thought  of  Mofes^  how  far  he 
went  for  faving  of  Ifraely  and  how  far  Paul 
went  for  the  faving  of  his  Kinsfolk  after  the 
Fleih  ;  it  was  a  great  Demonftratlon,  that  thefe 
great  and  good  Men  had  great  Faith  and  Intereft 
in  the  Lord,  and  alfo  a  very  great  Love  to  his 
People ;  and  fuch  whofe  Eyes  are  truly  opened, 
cannot  but  fee  it  is  the  Love  of  God,  and  Love 
to  the  Souls  of  Men,  that  conftrains  us  thus  to 
take  our  Lives  as  in  our  Hands,  and  labour 
under  many  weary  Steps,  and  many  Perils  by 
Sea  and  by  Land,  and  in  the  Wildernefs,  Cold, 
and  fometimes  in  Tumults  and  Noifes,  fome- 
times  in  Watchings  and  Fadings,  that  we  have 
been  fometimes  Spedacles  to  Men;  but  the 
Lord  hath  given  us  Faith  and  Patience  to  bear 
and  overcome  all,  as  we  have'  fingly  flood  in 
his  heavenly  Counfel,  and  been  truly  devoted 
to  his  Will  in  all  Things. 

It  may  not  be  amifs  to  mention  a  particular 
thing  which  happened  to  me  before  I  left 
Long-IJland^  viz.  Knowing  that  my  Landlady, 
Samuel  Bownes  Wife,  had  a  very  fore  Breall,  by 
which  flie  had  much  Trouble,  and  had  no  lefs 
than  five  Tents  in  it,  andflie  being  a  fenfible  ajid 
a  ferviceable  Woman,  fomething  came  with  a 
Concern  upon  my  Mind  to  adminifter  unto  her 
Breaft,  with  a  Belief,  it  ivould  heal  her :  I  rea- 
Ibned  about  it  until  I  had  got  one  Foot  into  the 

Stirrup 


(     ^53:    ) 

Stirrup  for  mounting  my  Horfe,  But  I  gre# 
uneafy  for  being  dilatory  in  doing  that  which 
came  into  my  Mind  ;  fo  I  went  in  again  and 
faid,  Mar)\  I  am  come  back  to  advi/e  thee  ivhat 
thou  fjjouldjl  do,  by  ivhich^  1  believe  thou  wilt  be 
healed,  although  I  cannot  flay  to  fee  it  done.  I 
believe^  faid  ihe,  and  intend  to  folloiv  thy  Advice ; 
but  ajQked,  ijuhat  would  become  of  all  thoje  Tents? 
I  told  her,  the  Poultice  ivould  dra^jj  them  all  out 
and  give  her  Ea/e  \  and  accordingly  I  heard  k 
did,  for  fhe  flept  twelve  Hours  immediately 
after  the  Time  of  the  Apphcation,  and  wheii 
flie  aWoke  the  Tents  were  all  drawn  ont,  and 
flie  had  little  further  Trouble  with  it:  So  it  is 
good  to  mind  Truth  and  the  Workings  of  it  in 
all  Things.  I  met  with  the  great  Dodlor  (a^ 
he  was  efteemed)  who  had  it  vmder  hand,  and 
he  laid  /  ivas  a  bold  Felloiv :  I  faid,  it  proved 
nvelL     He  anfwered,  it  vims  vu ell  for  me  it  did. 

Something  more  which  I  have  before  omitted 
occurs  to  my  Memory :  When  I  was  in  that 
Part  of  Virginia  towards  7^ or th- Carolina^  to 
vifit  Friends,  a  very  great  Mift  arofe,  and  we 
Went  wrong,  until  the  Guides  were  fo  far  loft, 
that  they  confeft,  they  knew  not  Eaft  from 
Wert,  nor  on  which  Hand  we  had  left  the 
Road,  although  it  was  in  the  fore  Part  of  the 
Day,  but  neither  Wind  or  Sun  to  be  felt  or  feen ; 
then  I  told  them,  Ivuould  try  vuhat  I  could  do^ 
if  they  did  but  knovo  ivhat  garter  we  JJoould  go 
to :  They'  faid.,  ive  Jhould go  toivards  the  South ; 
then  I  brought  out  my  little  Compafs  which  I 
had  made  before  1  left  England^  and  took  it  in 

my 


(      rS4      ) 

iny  Hand  and  fleered  by  it,  till  we  all  came  intd 
the  Road ;  for  that  inward  Senfe  I  had  did  per- 
fuade  me,  that  we  were  to  the  Weftward  of 
the  Road,  fb  leaning  a  little  to  the  Eaftward  of 
the  South  Point,  we  came  right  as  before,  and 
when  fo,  the  Guides  much  rejoiced,  and  faid, 
/  *was  jitter  to  be  Guide  in  a  Wildernejs  Country 
than  they.  My  Compafs  was  not  fo  big  as  a 
Tailor's  Thimble,  which  had  often  been  of  Ufe 
to  me,  and  others  with  me. 

Now  the  Time  came  on  for  my  leaving  all 
my  near  and  dear  Friends  in  thofe  Parts,  and  I 
embarked  for  tlige  Iflands  the  Sixth  of  the  Ninth 
Month,  1702,  with  my  Companion  James 
Bates^  on  board  of  a  Sloop,  Samuel  Salter  Maf- 
ter,  for  Barhadoes^  and  we  put  into  Bermudas  in 
our  way:  Soon  after  we  landed,,  Being  on  the 
2ift  of  the  fame  Month,  we  were  fent  for  by 
Governor  Bennett  to  come  before  him,  and 
being  near  his  Door,  a  Man  came  and  clapt 
me  on  the  Shoulder,  as  we  were  v/alklng  on 
our  way,  and  faid  roughly  to  us,  Tou  mujl  go 
before  the  Governor^  and  feemed  to  haften  us :  I 
replied  meekly,  ham  willivg  to  go  as  faji  as  I 
can^  hut  I  have  been  "very  Sea-fick^  and  can  go 
but  ivtak/y:  The  Man  fell  from,  his  Roughnefs, 
and  bid  us  take  Time,  and  carried  himfelf  very 
civilly  to  us,  and  put  us  by  a  Man  who  was 
keeping  Gentry  at  the  Governor's  Door  with 
his  Muiket  on  his  Arm,  and  when  we  were 
come  into  a  large  Room  the  Man  left  us,  and 
we  (laying  a  while,  I  began  to  reafon  in  myfelf, 
E'kat  if  the  Governor  Jldould  he  a  rigid  Alan  and 

be 


(155      ) 

he  fevere  to  us^  and  either  confine  or  punlfh  us  ? 
But  I  faid  in  my  Heart,  Lord^  thou  that  knoivejl 
all  Things^  knoiveji  that  I  have  not  only  offered  up 
my  Liberty^  but  Life  alfo^  for  thy  Name  and 
Go/pel's  fake !  and  immediately  all  the  Fear  and 
Reafonings  abont  human  Power  was  taken  aw^y 
from  me. 

i  being  not  well,  and  weary  with  walk- 
ing from  the  Ship,  fate  down  to  reft  myfelf 
unbidden,  when  there  came  a  friendly  well 
carriaged  young  Woman,  who  I  fappofed  to 
be  a  Servant,  and  fpoke  kindly  to  us  ;  I  defired 
het*  to  do  as  much  for  us  as  to  give  us  fomething 
that  was  fmall  to  drink,  for  we  were  very 
thirfty  and  had  been  much  out  of  Health,  and 
were  not  well  recovered  lince  we  came  from  the 
Sea,  having  had  rough  Weather :  She  brought 
us  Wine  and  Water,  and  a  Thing  to  mix  them 
in ;  fo  taking  mod  of  a  Glafs  of  Water,  and  a 
very  little  Wine  poured  into  it,  I  drank  and  was 
very  well  refreflied.  By  this  Time  the  Go- 
vernor called  us  into  an  upper  Room,  and  as  I 
came  near  to  the  Top  of  the  Stairs,  going  but 
faintly,  for  Reafons  before  given,  the  Governor 
put  forth  his  Hand  and  reached  to  take  hold 
of  minej  and  like  a  tender  Father  drew  me  up,"^ 
and  led  me  along  towards  a  great  Window,  and 
ftood  and  looked  on  me  and  faid.  He  believed 
he  knew  uuhat  I  nvas^  and  riiy  Buftnefs  too,  I 
replied,  it  might  be  fo^  and  aiked,  if  he  was  the 
Governor  of  that  Place  ?  He  fiid  he  ivas^  and 
bowed  his  Head.  I  then  fpoke  to  him  in  the 
i/oye  of  God  and  faid,  Thy  Countenance  befpeaks 

X  Moderation^ 


(      t56      'i 

Moderation,  and  the  Apojlk  faid^  Let  your  Mod^-^ 
ration  appear  to  all  Men,  for  the  Lord  is  at 
hand ;  and  it  was  tvith  me  to  fay  to  him,  77?^ 
Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth  hlej's  thee  and  all 
thine.  He  bade  us  fit  down,  and  gave  us  each 
a  Glafs  of  Wine,  and  enquired  from  ivheiice  ive 
came?  I  told  him  my  Home  was  in  Old  England, 
hilt  it  was  long  f  nee  I  iifas  there ;  7ny  Companion  s 
*was  in  Virginia.  He  wanting  to  know  the  ^ 
Affairs  in  Europe,  I  told  him,  There  was  a 
Merchant  belonging  to  the  fame  Ship  that  we  did, 
ivho  uuas  lately  come  from  Europe,  and  I  thought: 
was  a  Man  of  Parts  and  Memory,  and  well 
verfed  in  the  Affairs  of  thofe  Parts  of  the  World, 
and  when  we  came  into  this  Place  he  was  nvith  its : 
The  Governor  then  fent  for  him,  and  when  he 
came,  he  anfwered  his  Expedation  in  refolving 
all  or  mofl  of  his  Queftions,  for  the  Knowledge 
of  the  News  appeared  to  me  to  be  the  young 
Man's  Talent.  Having  done  with  and  difrniffed 
him,  he  faid,  he  mifi  now  have  fome  Dijcourfe 
with  us :  Then  rofe  up  all  the  great  Men  who 
were  with  the  Governor,  to  make  way  that  I 
might  come  near  him.  1  faid,  jf  it  tvas  the 
Governor  s  Mind,  I  had  rather  fit  where  I  ivas, 
for  I  fate  vi'cll  in  the  Air,  and  that  futted  well 
With  my  prejent  Weaknefs :  So  he  bade  them  all 
fit  down,  and  they  did  fo. 

Kotv,  faid  he,    /  want    to  knovu  the   Reajonf 

<ii^hy  you,  as  a  People,    ivhere  you  live,    do  not 

afjift  the  King  and  Country  voith  Men  and  Arms, 

for    their    and   your    ovun   Defence  and    Safety, 

againfl  all  that  may   attempt  or  endeavour  your 

Hurt^ 


(       ^57      ) 

Hurt  P  I  replied,  The  moji  convincing  Reafons  I 
have  to  offer  to  the  Gove?mor  are^  We  have  nei-- 
ther  Precept  nor  Example   from   Chrift,  or   his 
Apoftle,  to  ufe  the   Sword  to  hurt   one   another 
nvithaL     No^  faid  he,  ivhat  then  means  that  Say*^ 
ing  of  our  Saviom\  ivhen  he  bade  him  that  had 
not  a  Sword,  fell   his   Cloak  or  Coat  and  buy- 
one  r  I   replied,  One  of  his  '  Dfciples   anfnjuered 
and  faid  ^    Lord,   here   are  two;  Chrift  j aid  It  \s 
enough.     Novo  hovo  two  Svuords  can  be  enough  to 
anfvoer  for  a  genenal  Precept^  I  leave  the  Govern" 
nor  and  all  thefe  Men  to  judge.     So  after  a  little 
Paufe  he  faid,  In  cafe  you  was  affaulted  by  Rob^ 
bers  that  voould  break  your  Hou/e^  and  take  ivhat 
they  could  get  from  you  ;  or  upon  the  Highnvayy 
and  voould  take  your  Purfe  or  Horfe^  vohat  would 
you  do  in  that  Cafe  ?    I   replied,  /  could  not  di--^ 
really  anjwer  what  I  Jhould  do  in  fuch  a  Cafe^ 
hecaufe  through  the  Lord's  Mercy  I  vuas  never  yet 
fo  affaulted  \  but   it   appears    mojl    likely ^  that   I 
(hould    endeavour   to  keep   my  Houfe  from  being 
broken   up^  and  yet    voithal  he  tender  of  Men's 
Lives :  And   as  to  the  other  Aflault,  inafmuch 
as  it  is  idell  knoivn  I  do  not  provide  any  outivard 
Weapon  for    my   Defence^  neither  Svoord^  Piftoly 
nor  any   other  fuch   like  Weapon^  therefore  I  muli 
rely   upon    the  Lord   for  Protedlion  and  Help, 
voho  is  able  to  refcue  me  out  of  the  Hands  of  all 
fuch   ungodly    Men;  or  if  he  does  not ^  I mu/l_   eu" 
deavour  to  bear  vohat  the  Lord  {iiffers  fuch  to  do 
unto  me.     The  Governor  faid,  Ton  fay  well ;  for 
ifiafmuch  as  you  have  not  provided  any  thing  for 
your  Defence,  you  have  nothing  to  fly  to  but  the 

Lord  \ 


(       158       ) 

Lord;  you  fay  very  well \  and  faid,  he  hoped 
what  he  had  offered  had  not  gwen  any  Offence. 
I  replied,  It  iims  Jo  far  from  that^  nx^e  nverc 
glad  he  ivas  Jo  free  ivith  us ;  yet  ij  he  pleafed  to 
dijmijs  us^  we  JJjould  be  'willing  to  be  goings  for 
Night  came  on.  He  faid,  There  were  fome  of 
our  Friends  ijuould  be  glad  to  fee  us  :  I  replied, 
J  underflood  there  iv ere  feme  further  on  the  Ifland 
that  did  oivn  us^  but  hoiv  much  they  ivere  of  us 
J  could  not  tell^  for  I  had  not  feen  any  of  them. 
He  afked,  whether  we  had  a  mind  to  go  by- 
Water  or  by  Land,  for  he  had  a  Boat,  and  a 
couple  of  Hands  lliould  carry  us  where  we 
would ;  or  if  we  had  a  Defire  to  ride,  he  had 
two  Horfes,  w^e  might  take  them  and  keep 
them  as  long  as  we  (laid  upon  the  Ifland.  I 
endeavoured  to  perfuade  him  to  let  us  go  with- 
out troubling  himfelf  any  further,  for  I  was 
fenfible  ot  n-s  good  Will  and  Love  to  us,  and 
having  his  Countenance,  was  more  than  we 
expected,  and  as  much  as  we  defired.  He  ftill 
urging  to  know  after  what  manner  we  would 
ch(;ole  to  go  ?  I  told  him,  I  was  very  lenfible 
of  his  Generofity  to  us  who  were  Strangers, 
and  if  he  would  be  eafy  and  let  us  pafs,  we  had 
wherewithal  to  defray  our  necefTary  Charges 
either  by  Water  or  Land,  as  would  anfwer  beft 
with  our  Conveniency.  He  preiTed  upon  us  to 
accept  of  his  Offer,  for  he  faid,  he  did  not  do 
it  in  Compliment  to  us :  Then  feeing  no  way 
but  to  accept  of  his  generous  Offer,  I  faid. 
Riding  at  prefent  would  be  much  more  accept- 
able to  me,  confidering  how  I  had  been  lately 

fatigued 


(       159      ) 

fatigued  at  Sea,  of  which  I  was  not  yet  well. 
He  immediately  gave  Orders  for  the  Horfes  to 
be  brought  to  the  Door,  which  being  done,  and 
we  having  Notice  thereof,  I  rofe  up  and  made 
an  Offer  to  go,  and  the  Governor  likewife  rofe 
up  and  came  and  took  me  by  the  Hand,  and 
fo  we  went  down  the  large  Stairs  into  the  great 
Room  where  we  firft  entered  in  the  Lord's  Dread 
and  holy  Fear.  Read  this  thou  that  canft,  and 
withal  learn  to  underftand,  here  I  had  refigned 
my  Life  and  all  to  the  Lord  who  gave  it,  and 
my  Life  at  that  time,  as  at  many  other  times, 
was  not  dear  to  me  for  Chrift's  fake;  and 
being  thus  refigned,  I  felt  the  Love  of  God,  and 
a  Meafure  of  that  Life  was  manifeft,  in  which 
I  had  Dominion  over  Men,  Bonds,  and  over 
Death  and  the  Powers  of  Darknefs,  bleffed  be 
the  Lord  for  ever. 

Now  coming  to  take  Horfe,  I  looked  out  at 
the  Door  and  law  two  Horfes,  and  a  Man  hold- 
ing them  beyond  the  Pa\rement,  and  the  Gentry 
as  before  in  the  Street,  and  the  Horfe  next  the 
Door,  which  I  fuppofed  I  was  to  ride  on,  had 
a  Saddle  on  the  Back  of  it  fet  about  with  three 
Rows  of  fhining  Silver  Lace,'  I  thought  about 
two  Inches  broad  each :  The  Governor  holding 
me  by  the  Hand  and  looking  in  my  Face,  its 
not  unlikely  but  he  might  think,  as  I  ufed  to 
fay,  /  looked  'very  Jheep'ijhly  at  it.  He  faid  to 
me,  I  am  apt  to  think  you  are  not  ufed  to  ride 
upon  fuch  a  Saddle  as  this ;  I  told  him,  if  he 
could  let  me  have  one  more  like  myfelf  (plain) 
without;  much   Trouble,    I  ihould  like  it   the 

better. 


(       i6o      ) 

better,  but  if  not,  I  could  ride  on  it,  I  thought 
without  much  Straitnefs,  in  cafe  of  Neceffity. 
He  anfwered,  he  could  not,  far  Horfes  and 
Saddles  too  were  fcarce  on  that  Ifland,  for  the 
one  was  that  which  he  rid  on,  and  the  other 
was  for  his  Man;  but  he  faid,  he  would  tell 
me  how  to  prevent  all  this :  If,  faid  he,  you 
get  over  the  Inlet  of  Water,  though  he  quef- 
tioned  it,  becaufe  the  Wind  blew  very  ftrong  in 
the  Mouth  or  Inlet  of  the  River;  but,  he  laid, 
he  fpoke  not  this  to  hinder  our  taking  his 
Horfes,  but  if  we  got  over,  he  faid  we  fliould 
come  to  Richard  Stafford\^  an  o]^  J^^dge  of 
Life  and  Death,  and  might  afk  there  for  the 
Cover  for  his  Saddle,  which  ties  on  with  little 
Straps  at  each  Corner  and  hides  all  this,  and 
then  it  will  be  like  yourfelf ;  but  if  the  Ferrj- 
man  fays  he  cannot  carry  the  Horfes  over, 
what  Man  foever  you  meet,  white  or  black,  if 
capable,  tell  him  he  muft  bring  me  my  Horfes, 
he  dares  do  no  other  but  bring  them ;  and  be 
fure  you  take  no  further  Thought  for  them : 
And  if  we  met  with  any  thing  in  his  Liberty 
that  mxight  trouble  us,  let  him  but  know  and 
he  would  help  it,  if  it  lay  in  his  Power,  and  fo 
•with  his  Bleffing  on  us,  we  took  leave  of  him 
and  came  to  the  Water-fide,  but  could  not  get 
the  Horfes  over,  therefore  fent  them  back  again, 
and  intended  to  have  ftaid  at  the  Ferry-houf^ 
all  Night,  but  the  Boat  was  about  going  over 
as  we  lighted  ;  and  Notice  being  got  fome  way 
or  other  to  the  Judge's  Ear,  that  there  were 
two  Strangers  on  the  other  Side  of  the  Water, 

he. 


(       i6i       ) 

lie  had  fent  a  Boat  and  a  couple  of  Men  for  lis, 
who  faid  we  muft  go,  for  the  Judge  faid,  he 
could  not  fleep  until  we  came  ;  whatfoever  the 
matter  is,  we  know  not,  faid  they  :  So  we 
went,  after  aiking'if  they  at  the  Ferry-houfe  had 
been  at  any  Coft  or  Trouble  on  our  Account  in 
providing  Supper,  for  as  yet  we  had  not  eaten 
any  thing  iince  we  landed  ;  the  People  faid  no, 
they  had  not  done  any  thing  which  we  fliould 
pay  for  :  It  grew  dark  and  very  ftormy,  and 
the  Sea  broke  over  the  Boat,  fo  that  fome  of  us 
were  forced  to  hold  our  Coat  Laps  one  to  touch 
another  on  the  Weather  Side,  to  keep  out  the 
Breakers  of  the  Waves,  that  they  might  not  fill 
the  Boat,  and  we  came  faf^  over  to  the  Judge's 
Houfe,  and  no  fooner  got  into  the  PafTage  but 
his  friendly  Wife  met  us,  and  afked  us.  If  tve 
*were  the  Strangers  her  Husband  had  fent  for  ?  I 
faid,  We  are  Strangers,  She  bid  us  folio v/  her 
to  the  Judge,  and  we  did  fo.  When  we  came 
to  him  he  rofe  up,  and  took  the  Candle  in  his 
Hand  and  faid^  Jre  you  the  Strangers  that  I 
have  fent  for  ?  I  faid,  E^ha  thou  mayjl  expeci  I 
knou)  not^  but  ive  are  Strangers,  When  he  had 
looked  well  in  my  Face,  he  fet  down  the  Candle 
and  faid.  What  a  Mercy  is  this^  that  the  Lord 
JJdould  fend  Men  from  I  knoiv  not  ivhere^  in  his 
Love  to  viftt  me  !  and  took  me  in  his  Arms  and 
kiffed  me ;  and  I  faid  to  him.  The  Lord  of  Hea- 
ven and  Earth  blefs  thee ;  and  we  fhed  many 
Tears  and  wept  together. 

As  I  entred  theKoufe,  I  felt  the  Love  of  God, 
and  his  Glory,  I  thought,  fhone  in  and  filled 

every^ 


(       i62       ) 

every  Room  as  I  pafled  through  them,  arid  t 
faid,  Peace  he  to  this  Place.,  and  I  felt  it  was  fo. 
He  enquired  of  our  Travels,  and  from  whence 
we  came,  of  which  we  gave  him  a  brief  Ac- 
count ;  he  alfo  aJfked  if  I  knew  any  thing  of 
the  .Family  of  St  affords  at  Lahorn  near  Ha'ver- 
Jordweft  in  South  Wales?  I  told  him  all  I  knew 
about  them,  both  of  the  Dead  and  of  the  Liv- 
ing ;  with  which  he  was  pleafed,  and  faid.  He 
had  not  heard  of  ihem  many  Years .^  and  that  Fa- 
mily ivere  his  near  Kindred. 

Now  as  the  Judge  was  fomewhat  troubled 
with  the  Gout,  I  found  his  ufual  Bed-time 
drew  near,  and  I  made  an  Offer  to  go  away 
left  I  fhould  difcommode  him,  yet  he  appeared 
unwilling  to  part  with  us ;  but  conjQdering 
his  o\v>;  Ailments  and  our  early  Rifing  in  the 
Morning,  he  at  length  confented:  But  before 
wc  parted,  his  Wife  alked  leave  of  him  to 
go  with  us  on  the  Morrow  to  the  Meetings 
to  which  he  readily  affented,  if  he  was  not 
v/orfe  of  his  Diftemper,  and  then  ordered  how 
we  fhould  ride,  and  which  Negro  fliould  go,  not 
only  to  help  his  Wife  but  us  alfo,  and  take  our 
Horfes  when  there  wms  occaiion,  and  do  any 
thing  he  could  for  us  ;  and  indeed  fo  he  did, 
and  appeared  to  me  to  run  an  his  Feet  without 
much  Trouble,  being  a  lively  young  Man. 

I  omitted  before,  that  the  Judge  afked.  If  we 
had  feen  the  Governor ^  and  if  he  ivas  kind  to  us  ? 
I  told  him  he  was  ver.y  friendly  to  us,  and  faid, 
Jf  ^vc  met  with  any  Trouble  in  his  Liberty  that 
he  could  help  us  in^  'only  let  him  knoiv   and  he 

tvould 


(       ih      ) 

xvoiiid  right  us.  The  Judge  faid,  //  was  very 
weli^  and  he  was  glad  of  it.  I  perGei\'^d  the 
Judge  was  rather  a  Moderator  of  the  Governor, 
he  being  an  ancient  wife  Man,  and  had  lived 
long  as  a  Judge  upon  the  Ifland,  and  under- 
ftood  (it  is  hke)  more  fully  the  State  of  Things 
there  than  the  Governor  could  be  capable  of^ 
he  being  but  a  young  Man,  akho'  he  appeared 
to  be  a  wife  Man,  and,  as  William  Penn  faid, 
came  of  an  ancient  and  honourable  Family  in 
England^  which  he  knew  very  well^  whoie  Name 
was  Bentiett.  i^fterwards  I  told  William  Fenn 
how  it  had  fared  with  us  on  that  Ifland^  and 
efpecially  the  Kindnefs  of  the  two  chief  Men  in 
Power  there,  and  William  Penn  wept,  and  faid, 
He  had  not  heard  any  Account  of  this  Nature^ 
that  he  had  been  fo  much  affe^ed  ivith^  as  he  re^ 
membered  thefe  many  Tears i 

Now  We  left  the  Judge  until  the  Mornings 
and  got  fome  fmall  Refrefliment^  it  being  late, 
and  I  had  been  faint  for  feveral  Hours  for  want 
of  eating,  but  the  Lord's  heavenly  Power  bore 
me  up  over  all^  fo  that  at  Times  I  felt  no  want 
of  any  thing:  Oh!  Renowned  over  all  be.  the 
J^ame  of  the  Mighty  God,  now  and  for  even 
We  ^ent  to  Bed,  and  when  Morning  came,  I 
with  my  Companion  were  ftirring  early,  having 
eight  Miles  to  the  Meetings  and  it  being  in  the 
latter  End  of  the  Ninth  Month,  we  were  will- 
ing to  be  in  fiach  Time,  that  we  might  give 
Ibme  Notice  to  the  People.  I  was  walking  in 
our  Lodging  Room  early,  and  the  Judge's  Wife 
came  to  the  Door  and  alked,  if  fhe  might  fpeak 

Y  ivitb 


(       i64      ) 

ivithusP  I  faid  /he  might;  then  .fhe  came  iti 
and  faid,  She  had'  \a  Mtjjage  from  her  Husband 
to  us ;  I  queried,  what  it  nvas^  She  faid,  He 
defired  ive  would  come  and  pray  for  him  before  ive 
ivent  away,  I  defired  flie  would  favour  us  fo 
much  as  to  lay  before  her  Hufband  fomething 
which  I  had  to  fay,  and  flie  promifed  flie 
would :  Well  then^  tell  the  Judge^  that  if  he 
nvill  fuffer  us  to  come  into  his  Room ^  and  fit  doivn 
and  ivait  upon  the  Lord^  as  our  Manner  is  in 
fuch  a  Cafe  as  this^  if  it  pleafe  the  Lord  to  mo've 
us  by  his  Holy  Spirit  to  pray^  nx^e  may\  but  if 
not^  let  not  the  fudge  take  it  amijs^  for  we  are 
njoilling  to  be  at  the  Lord's  difpofing  in  all  Things^ 
She  went,  and  I  believe,  as  ihe  faid,  laid,  the 
Matter  before  him  as  I  had  delivered  it  to 
her ;  for  flie  was  a  Woman  of  a  good  Under- 
Handing,  and  came  back  again  to  u&  in  a  very 
little  Time:  I  aiked,  ijuhat  the  Judge  faid? 
She  replied,  he  faid,  Let  the  Men  take  their  oivn 
Way^  and  whether  they  pray  for  me  or  not^  I 
helte've  they  are  Men  of  God:  So  after  fome  little 
refjpite,  we  being  brought  to  the  Judge's  Bed-fide, 
fat  down  and  waited  upon  the  Lord,  who  was 
pleafcd  in  his  Love  and  by  his  mighty  Power 
to  break  in  vipon  us,  and  alfo  opened  my 
Mouth  in  his  Gift  of  Grace  and  of  Supplica- 
tion, in  which  Gift,  ardent  and  fervent  Cries 
went  up  to  the  Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth, 
that  he  would  fend  Health  and  Salvation  to  the 
judge,  and  alfo  to  all  his  Family,  and  to  all 
People  far  and  near,  that  all  every  where  might 
repent,    and   come   to  the   Knowledge  x>i  the 

Truth 


(       i65      ) 

Truth  and  be  faved.  The  Judge  wept  aloud, 
and  a  mighty  Vifitation  it  was  to  his  Family, 
and  efpecially  to  himfelf  and  his  tender  Wife. 
We  left  the  Judge  in  a  fine  Frame  of  Spirit,  and 
no  doubt  near  the  Kingdom,  having  his  Blefling 
and  earneft  Requeft,  that  when  we  could  reach 
his  Houfe  we  would  not  fail  to  come  to  it,  for 
we  were  verv  welcome;  and  I  found  and  felt 
it  fo,  and  it  was  moftly  our  Lodgings:  His 
Wife  and  Foot-Page  v^ent  with  us  to  all  the 
Meetings,  except  one,  while  we  were  on  the 
Ifland,  w^hich  was  about  two  Weeks,  in  which 
Time  we  had  many  good  Opportunities  among 
a  fbber  behaved  and  well  carriaged  People, 
amongft  whom  we  met  with  no  Oppofition, 
but  had  large  quiet  Meetings. 

When  we  were  clear,  as  w^e  thought,  of  the 
Ifland,  we  went  to  take  our  folid  Leaves  of  the 
Governor,  acknowledging  his  Civility  and  Ge- 
nerofity  to  us  Strangers,  and  I  told  him  and  the 
Judge,   That  they  uooiild  not  uuant  their  Reuuard 
for  ijuhat  they  had  done  to  us^  andfuch  ivho  JlooiiW 
take  their  Lives   as  in  their  Hands ^    and  come  in 
the  Love  of  God  to  viftt  thefe  remote  Parts  of  the 
Worlds   ivhich  ive  durjl  not  have  undertaken  if  ive 
had  not  believed  it  required  of  us  by  the  Almighty^ 
and  our  Peace  concerned  in  it^  as  alfo  the  Glory  of 
God^  and  the  Good  of  the  Children  of  Men ;  theje 
are  the  Motives  to  thofe  our  great  Undertakings : . 
or  Words   to  that   Purpofe.     So    we  parted  in- 
much  Love   with  thefe  great  Men,    efpecially 
the  Judge,  with  Tears  on  his  Face,    as   alfo  his 
tender   and  friendly   Wife,  who  had  been  very 

ferviceable 


(       i66      ) 

ferviceable  to  us  in  prderiag  Meetings  and 
making  Way  for  us,  and  none  like  her  in  all 
the  Ifland,  that  we  met  withal,  fhe  being  given 
up  to  that  Service,  for  the  encouraging  Ti-uth 
and  Friends  in  what  ihe  was  capable  of. 

Being  invitee!  to  a  Friend's  Houfe  to  dine  one 
pay,  vvhen  we  were  fat  down  at  the  Table,  the 
Woman  of  the  Houfe  defired  that  one  of  m 
ivould  fay  Grace ;  from  which  I  took  an  Oc- 
cafipn  to  fhew  her,  and  feveral  more  in  the 
Company,  who  appeared  not  much  more  grown 
in  the  Truth  than  fhe,  that  ftnce  ive  had  been  a 
People^  ijue  had  both  believed  (and  accordingly 
pradlifed)  that  true  Prayer  ijuas  not  performed 
without  the  Help  of  the  holy  Spirit  of  God,  and 
no  man  could  pray  aright  and  acceptably  ivithout 
it ;  nor  was  it  in  Maiis  Poiver  to  have  it  when  he 
pleafed ;  therefore  it  is  Mans  place  to  ivait  nporx^ 
the  L^rd  for  the  pouring  forth  of  xhis  Gift  upon 
him^  and  alfo  to  knoiv  whether  it  be  required  of 
him  to  pray,  fo  as  to  be  heard  by  Man^  or  only 
to  pray  fecretly,  Jo  as  to  be  heard  of  God^  as 
did  Hannah  and  many  more  have  done ;  which j 
as  they  do  aright^  no  doubt^  but  as  Chrifl  Jaid 
to  his  Difciples^  their  Father  will  hear  them 
in  fecret,  and  reward  them  openly  \  or  to  this 
EfFe<?l:  With  which  they  all  appeared  fatisfied. 

\Ve  th^n  w^nt  on  board  our  Veffel,  and  fet  fail 
with  a  fair  Wind  for  the  Eaft  End  of  the  Ifland  in 
order  for  Barhadoes ;  but  foon  after  we  got  out  to 
theMouthof  that  Inlet  where  we  arrived  firfl,  the 
Wipd  came  full  againft  iis,  and  we  put  in  there 
again ;  and  the  Mafter,  altho'  not  called  one  of 

lis. 


(       i67      ) 

^s,  faid  in  a  friendly  manner,  What  is  the  matter 
noiv  ?  this  is  along  of  you^  Mr.  Richardfon  (as 
he  was  pleafed  to  call  me,  alcho'  I  oft  fhewed 
my  Diflike  to  it)  jou  have  fame  thing  to  doyet  on 
the  I/land.  1  faid,  I  knew  not  of  any  thing -^  but 
he  feemed  pofitive,  and  withal  faid,  if  the  V/ind 
came  fair  at  Midnight  he  "Would  call  if  I  isms 
billing  ;  fnot^  he  njoould  flay  as  long  as  I pleafed^ 
I  faid,  I  knew  not  of  any  thing  to  hinder,  but  he 
might  call  as  foon  as  the  Wind  came  fair.  Sa 
we  parted,  only  giving  him  an  Account,  that 
we  intended  to  go  for  the  Judge's  Houfe.  It 
was  late  in  the  Evening  when  we  got  there, 
gnd  the  Judge  was  gone  to  Bed ;  but  his  Wife 
was  up,  who  lifted  up  her  Hands  with  more 
than  ordinary  Surprize,  and  much  Joy,  and 
faid,  &he  ivas  always  glad  to  fee  tne^  but  never 
more  than  now.  I  faid.  Why  fo?  She  then  be- 
gan to  tell,  how  that  jfince  I  went  away,  there 
had  been  a  Man  with  the  Judge,  who  had  in- 
cenfed  him  againft  me  all  that  ever  he  could, 
and  faid.  He  kneiv  me  in  England,  and  that  I 
tjuas  brokey  and  came  into  thoje  Parts  to  preach 
for  a  Living.  I  alked,  ivhat  her  Hujband  jaid 
to  all  that?  She  faid,  his  Anfwer  was  to  the 
Man,  that  he  belveved  Ivuas  nofuch  Perfon,  but  an 
honeft  Man ;  yet  the  Accufer  feemed  very  pofitive. 
I  faid,  It  would  be  ivellifthis  Man  could  be  brought 
^ith  me  to  the  Judge's  Face ^  that  he  might  he 
convinced^  not  only  of  the  Mans  Ignorance  of  us 
as  a  People^  but  of  me  in  particular,  and  his 
Envy  againjl  me  be  made  knovun  ;  upon  which  I 
opened  to  her  tlie  cafe  of  fuch  Journeys  and 

Services;^ 


(       i68      ) 

Services,  how  we  proceeded,  and  how  the  Meet-? 
ings  were  coiiftltuted  in  which  we  did  fo  pro- 
ceed, and  from  whence  we  had  Certificates, 
from  Monthly,  Quarterly,  or  Meetings  of  Mi- 
nifters  to  which  we  belonged,  and  from  Friends 
in  the  feveral  Provinces  and  Iflands  where  we 
travelled,  if  we  dehred  them,  many  of  which  I 
could  fliew  tlie  Judge  if  Time  would  admit ; 
but  file  faid,  left  we  fhould  be  called  av^ay  in 
hafte,  fhe  craved  to  fee  fome  of  thofe  Certifi- 
cates :  I  fhewed  her  them,  beginning  at  the 
firll,  wherein  Friends  of  Kelk^  now  Bridlington 
Monthly-meeting  in  YorkfJnre^  to  Friends  in 
America^  fhewed  not  only  their  full  Unity, 
with  this  my  prefent  journey,  but  alfo  with, 
my  Service  for  the  Truth,  and  Converfation, 
to  the  fame,  where  I  had  lived  and  travelled ; 
and  that  I  had  fettled  my  outward  Affairs  to^ 
Friends  Satisfaction,  under  many  Hands  vari- 
oufly  writ. 

When  this  great  and  wife  Woman  faw  this/, 
ihe  faid,  it  ivas  enough  :^  but  I  fliewed  her  other. 
Certificates  from  divers  Places,  wherein  Friendf^- 
had  fignified  fufEciently  their  Unity  and  Satis- 
fadion  with  me.     I  likewife  informed  her,  that 
in  cafe  any  Man,  not  approved  by  us  as  a  Mi- 
nifter,  did  take  upon  him  to  impofe  his  Preach- 
ing vipon  any  who  were  Strangers  to  him,  fuch 
as    knew     him     took    care    to    acquaint     the 
Churches  therewith,  if  his  Intentions  could.be. 
known,  that  no  Impoflor   might  do  any  hurt : 
Ail  which  fhe  admired,  and  faidyZ?^  had  ne'uer 
heard  fo  much  before y  neither  didjhe  ibink  there 

had^ 


(.169      ) 

had  been  fuch  excellent  Orders  in  the  World  among fl 
any  People, 

Having  thus  acquainted  her  with  our  Order 
and  Difcipline,  and  afterwards  informed  her  of 
the  Caufe  of  our  unexpeded  Return,  I  renewed 
my  Propofal  of  having  my  Accufer  before  the 
Judge ;  Ihe  told  me,  ihe  had  good  place  with 
her  Hufband,  and  would  endeavour  to  obtain 
it :  And  accordingly,  after  talking  with  him, 
file  let  me  know,  that  the  Judge  expreffed  his 
Readinefs  to  do  me  any  Service  which  lay  in 
his  Power,  and  was  of  Opinion,  my  Accufer 
durft  -not  face  either  him  or  me  in  that  Affair  ; 
but  that  if  the  Wind  continued  againft  us,  he 
would  try  to  find  him  out  and  bring  him,  which 
miight  be  of  Service  ;  but  if  the  Wind  favoured  ^t 
fhe  thought  I  might  be  eafy  to  go ;  as  indeed 
I  was,  and  the  more  fo,  confidering  that  our 
Captain  Salter^  wlio  lived  near  the  Judge  on  the 
iame  Ifland,  had  fliewed  a  great  deal  of  Patience 
and  good  Difpoiition  to  us-vv^ard  for  ahout  two 
Weeks,  yet  would  gladly  be  gone ;  fo  abouc 
Mid-night  we  were  called  to  go  on  board 
the  Ship,  for  the  Wind  was /air,  if  we  were 
ready ;  I  replied,  ive  come  quickly^  and  fo  wc 
did,  and  took  leave  of  all  we  faw  of  the  Family, 
and  remembered  our  dear  Love,  with  grateful 
Acknowledgments  to  the  Judge,  for  all  'his 
Civility  and  Kindneiles  he  had  done  to  us,  with 
Reafons  why  we  could  not  fee  him,  for  he  had 
been  affli6led  far  fome  time  with  the  Goat,  and 
was  now  fallen  into  fome  Reft,  and  we  going 
very  early  away,  were  not  at  our  own  Difpofal. 

I  admired 


(       I70      ) 

i*  admired  the  Lord's  good  Providence  in  all 
this,  and  there  was  fome thing  of  a  Reach  froni 
the  fame  watchful  Providence,  to  order  that  to 
be  put  into  my  Certificate  which  did  fo  fully 
remove  that  Slur  this  Enemy  would  have  faft- 
ned  upon  me,  (/.  e,)  that  /  broke  in  England, 
and  could  not  pay  my  Debts ^  and  therefor^p  was 
come  into  thefe  remote  Parts  of  the  Worlds 
where  I  was  unknown,  to  preach  Jor  a  LiveH-- 
hood\  but  the  contrary  fully  appeared,  that  I 
was  known  and  well  beloved  too,  and  had 
Effeds  to  difcharge  atiy  juft  Demand  upon  me, 
blefTed  be  the  worthy  Name  of  the  Lord  now 
and  for  ever. 

Now  I  may  fay  fomething  of  our  Affairs  up-^ 
on  the  Sea  in  this  Voyage:  When  Captairi 
Salter  had  taken  us  in  Paflengers  at  Philadelphia 
for  Barbadoes^  it  being  a  time  of  War,  and 
People  fomewhat  affraid  of  fliipping  Goods,  he 
faid  he  was  to  have  two  honeft  fakers  Paffen- 
gers,  and  he  did  not  fear  being  taken  by  Priva- 
teers nor  Pirates.  I  was  troubled  at  his-  Con- 
fidence  in  us,  and  told  him  fo^  and  that  it  was 
much  if  the  Lord  did  not  fuffer  us  to  be  taken^ 
that  he  might  fee  Men  were  not  to  be  depended 
upon,  but  that  we  ought  to  depend  Upon  the 
Lord  alone  for  Protedion  and  Deliverance : 
However,  in  much  lefs  time  than  was  expeded. 
Goods  came,  and  we  were  loaded  and  gone. 
We  had  rough  Weather  before  we  came  to 
Barbadoes^  (I  have  given  an  Account  of  Ber-* 
wndasj  efpecially  about  the  Trc^pick  of  Cancer 
we  had  very  high  Winds,  and  I  was  extreamly 

Sea-fick. 


C     i?'     ) 

Sea-fick,  and  £b  was  my  Companion,  and  I 
could  eat  little,  but  was  treated  with  remarkable 
Civilities  by  the  Captain;  for  in  and  about  that 
Latitude  there  are  Fifh  not  unlike  Herrings, 
which  fly  from!  Wave  to  Wave,  and  by  dipping 
their  Fins  or  Wings  in  the  Water,  they  will 
fly  d  great  Way,  efpecially  when  they  are 
chafed  by  Fiflies  of  Prey,  and  alm'ofl  every 
Morning  there  were  of  thofe  Fifnes  found  on 
the  Ship's  Deck ;  and  the  Captain  oft  faid,  as 
his  manner  was,  Mr.  Rlchurdfon^  thefe  are  fent 
for  you,  or  for  your  Breakfaft,  an4  feeing  it 
is  fo,  I  will  drefs  them  myfelf,  for  I  know, 
faid  he,  my  Cook  is  fo  greafy  you  can  hardly 
eat  of  his  Cookery,  which  was  very  true; 
and  therefore  he  would  wafli  his  Hands,  and 
lay  a  clean  Napkin  on  his  Arm,  and  teil  me 
he  would  drefs  me  my  Breakfaft  on  the  bell 
Fafliion  he  could.  I  aflced  him',  ivhy  he  ivouldput 
hlmfdf  to  fo  much  Trouble?  He  faid,  he  never 
waited  on  a  Man  in  all  his  Life  with  ^o  much 
Pleafare,  and  if  I  were  going  into  any  Country 
where  he  was  going,  I  fliould  not  pay  any 
thing  for  my  Paflage;  fo  much  Refpecl  he 
fliewed  to  me. 

Now  it  happened  in  the  Courfe  of  this  Voyage, 
when  we  were  within  a  few  Leagues  of 
Barbadots^  one  Morning  early  a.s  foon  as  Day 
appeared,  he  tiiat  was  aloft  (^upon  the  Watch  to 
look  out,  as  the  manner  of  Mariners  is,  efpeci- 
ally in  the  Times  of  Wars  and  Danger)  efpied 
a   Ship  which  he    and   the   reft   of  our   moft 

Jcnowing 
Z 


(       172      )     * 

knowing  Men  fuppofed  to  be  a  Tiirkijh  Frigate, 
of  confiderable  Strength;  however,  it  was  a 
great  VejGTel,  and  appeared  to  have  a  great 
many  Guns :  When  w^e  firfl  faw  her,  flie  ap- 
peared to  be  within  Gun-fhot.  But  Oh  what  a 
Surprize  and  Fright  our  Ship's  Crew  were  in ! 
I  Siad  not  often  fcen  the  hke.  Our  Veffel 
being  deep  loaded,  although  a  good  Sailer, 
was  lefs  than  that  which  chafed  us,  and  to  run 
for  it  appeared  the  only  way  for  us  to  efcape, 
hauling  as  clofe  to  the  Wind  as  we  could  to 
keep  the  Sails  fall ;  and  the  Veffel  being  ftifF 
with  its  great  Burthen,  endured  Sail  well,  and 
indeed  they  crowded  fo  much  Sail,  that  I  told 
them  I  feared  they  would  bring  the  Rigging  by 
the  board;  fo  thus  we  laboured  until  Noon, 
and  then  our  Captain  had  loft  all  his  Confidence 
in  the  ^akers^  and  faid  we  fliall  be  taken,  for 
the  Ship  has  gained  upon  us  for  feveral  Hours, 
and  we  have  done  what  we  can,  and  are  all 
fpent :  I  walked  upon  the  Main- deck  under  no 
fmall  Concern  of  Mind,  and  Truth  rofe,  and 
I  found  it  open  in  the  Truth,  that  ive  Jhould 
not  he  taken :  The  Captain  faid,  binding  it  with 
fome  Affeverations,  we  fhall  certainly  be  taken. 
I  faid,  No^  Toe  Jhall  not^  unle/s  by  our  Mijma^ 
nagement,  Alas !  faid  he,  you  are  fuch  a  Man 
as  I  nev^r  met  withal ;  do  not  you  fee  the 
Frigate  or  Salke-man^  for  that  he  called  her, 
is  juft  going  to  fire  a  Broad-fide  at  us,  opening 
the  Gun  Ports,  and  laying  the  Ship  broad  Side 
upon  us,  and  levelling  at  her  as  well  as  they  can  ? 

And 


173      ) 

And  indeed  our  Captain,  akho'  he  was  a   (lout 
Man,    yet    appeared     very   ghaflly  and   dead- 
hearted,  and  faid   (in  a  Tone  which   befpoke 
both  Afflidion  and  Trouble)   to   me,  Go  into 
my   Cabbin,  or   fome  where  under  the  Deck, 
for  they  will  fire  immediately ;  and  that  where 
I   walked    I    could    hardly    efcape    either    the 
Shot  or  the  Rigging  falling  upon  me.     I  faid, 
they  'will  not  fire  \  and  defired  him  to  he  eafy^  for 
we  Jhould  come  to  no  Damage  by  that  Ship,     Well 
then,    he  afked  what  they   fhould  do,  for  the 
Enemy  was  juft  upon  us  ?  I  faid,  I  would  fetch 
them  a  Bottle  or  two^  or  more  of  my  bejl  Brandy^ 
and  they  fhould  take  as  much  as  might  do  them  good  \ 
but  have  a  Care  of  more^  and  ply  away   a  ivhile^ 
and  you  ivillfee  they  ivill  fall  back^  and  ive  fhall 
leave   them.     The   Captain  faid,  although  there 
was  no  human  Probability  of  efcaping,    yet  for 
my  Sake  they  would  try,    and  to  work  they 
went.     I  think  I  never  faw   Men  on   board  of 
any  Ship  work  like  them  for  fome  Hours,  and 
we  foon  perceived  we  outfailed  them,   and  by 
the  time  it  began  to  be   dark   we  had  left  them 
confiderably. 

Now  ail  Fire  and  Light  was  forbidden,  ex- 
cept what  could  not  be  avoided,  and  all  Noife, 
and  a  Council  was  held,  to  confult  what  Way 
to  (leer,  whether  the  neareft  or  moft  common 
way  for  the  Ifland,  or  about ;  for  it  was  reafon- 
able  to  conclude  the  Adverfary  would  way-lay 
us,  if  he  could,  before  we  came  to  the  Ifland ; 
and  the  Captain  faid,  what  I  faid  in  the  Cafe 
fhould  be  done ;   After  fome  Deliberation  I  told 

him^ 


(       174      ) 

hiiri,  /  '^'^s  mojl  enfy  in  fiecring  ths  neareji 
Courfe^  •which  we  did,  and  faw  our  Adverfary 
no  more. 

We  came  to  the  Ifland  next  Day  in  much  Joy, 
that  we  had  efcaped  fo  imminent  a  Danger,  but 
I  was  very  ill  in  a  Fever  when  I  landed,  which 
had  been  growing  upon  me  for  fey eral  Days, 
(this  being  the  Sixth-day  of  the  Week,  and 
1 8th  ot  the  Tenth  Month)  I  was  fo  poorly,  that 
feveral  thought  I  muft  die;  but  I  Hood  refigned 
in  the  Will  of  God,  whether  to  die  or  live. 
The  Firft-day  being  come,  I  went  to  the  Meet- 
ing, though  with  great  Difficulty,  being  very 
weak,  where  I  fat  under  more  than  ufual  Exer- 
cife,  Pccafonings,  and  Conflidl  of  Spirit  for  fome 
time,  about  my  prefent  Condition,  which  was 
weak  and  low,  and  in  my  own  x^pprehenfion^ 
unlikely  to  be  of  any  Service,  notwithfland-^ 
ing  all  the  Troubles  and  Hazards  of  the  Sea 
and  Robbers,  and  other  Jeopardies  in  coming 
here,  I  was  now  thus  difabled  and  laid  by  as 
ufelefs.  Thefe  Things  were  an  Occafion  to  mq 
to  confider,  wdiether  I  had  not  mill  my  Way 
in  forncthing  or  other?  Many  particulars  v»rere 
brought  to  my  Mind,  whether!  haddifcharged 
myfelf  faithfully  where  I  had  been  ?  and  w^hen 
i  looked  back  and  took  a  View  of  my  pall 
Trails  and  Services  in  the  Work  of  the  Mini- 
ftry,  and  Difcipline  of  the  Church,  my  Con- 
du6l  and  whole  Converfation,  I  faw  nothing 
but  I  was  clear  of  the  Blood  of  all  Men ;  as' 
alfo  clear  and  well  fatisfied  both  as  to  the  Time 
of  my  coming,  as  well   as  to  the  Coming  itfeli 

unto 


(       ^75      ) 

unto  this  liland.      There    appeared   yet     two 
Things  in  my  way ;  Flr/l^  if  this  Place  fliould 
be  my   Grave,  fuch  as  might  not  watch   over 
me  with  the  beft  Eye  may  fay,  If  he  had  gone 
at  the  Lord's  Command^  no  doubt  but    he   nvould 
have  brought  him  back  again  \  SLXid  Seco7idIy^  as 
I  had  tivo  little  Children  in  England,  if  1  finifjj-  . 
ed  my  Courfe  here^  they   "would  be  left  Fatherlefs 
and  Motherlefsy  And   I    faid   befoi%    the   Lord, 
Let   not    my    End  bring  Difljcnour  to   thy  great 
Najiiey  nor   any   Blemijh   to   the  Truth  which   I 
have  loved^  and  laboured  for  the  Promotion   of 
from  7ny  Childhood, 

When  I  had  thus,  or  to  this  Purpofe  ap- 
pealed to  the  Lord,  I  felt  great  Quietnefs  and 
Refignation  of  Mind;  an^  as  I  thus  fat,  a 
Friend,  w^ell  thought  on  by  feveral,  began  to 
fpeak  in  the  Meeting,  and  it  opened  in  my 
Mind,  that  he  was  not  wholly  redeemed  from 
having  fome  Thoughts,  that  elementary  Water 
had  not  yet  ended  its  Service;  I  mean  in  Point 
of  Dipping:  I  would  have  fliut  it  out,  for  the 
Man  appeared  a  wife,  zealous  Man ;  and  I  be- 
ing altogether  a  Stranger,  could  not  remember 
I  had  heard  of  his  Name,  yet  the  Matter  con- 
tinued, and  I  thought,  for  my  own  Satisfadion 
I  might  alk  him  the  Quellion  :  If  he  was  a 
right  fpirited  Friend,  he  w^ould  not:  be  hurt; 
if  he  v»ras  not,  he  flood  in  Need  of  Help,  or 
at  leafl  it  w^as  high  time  for  Friends  to  have  a 
more  perfedl  Knowledge  of  him.  So  I  leave 
this  a  v/hile,  and.  return  to  the  other  Part  of 
the  Meeting,  which  v/as  very  remarkable. 

During 


(       »76      ) 

During  my  fitting,  as  before,  under  much 
Weaknefs  of  Body,  yet  quiet  in  Mind,  the 
Hving  Virtue  or  heavenly  Power  of  Chrift  fprang 
up  in  my  inward  Man,  Hke  healing  and  fup- 
pling  Oil,  which  fo  efFedlually  helped  me  every 
way,  that  I  could  fay  feelingly  and  experiment- 
ally, Miracles  are  not  ceajed\  for  I  was  raifed 
beyond  my  own  Expedlation,  and  all  others 
who  knew  my  weak  State,  to  give  Teftimony 
to  the  glorious  Coming  and  Manifeftation  of 
Chrift  in  Power,  Spirit,  Life,  Light,  and  Grace, 
for  the  Help,  Health,  and  Salvation  of  all  the 
Children  of  Men  who  receive,  believe  in,  and 
obey  his  fpi ritual  Knocks,  Reproofs,  and  hea- 
venly Calls  in  the  Soul,  without  any  LefTening 
to  his  Humanity :  Great  Caufe  have  I,  with  all 
the  Living,  to  love,  value,  honour  and  reverence 
the  great  and  mighty  Name  of  him  who  hath 
helped  and.  healed,  by  fending  hiseterual  Word 
of  living  Power  into  our  Hearts. 

Returning  with  other  Friends  to  my  Quarters 
from  this  good  Meeting  (not  to  be  forgotten 
by  me)  came  the  before-mentioned  Friend  to 
fee  me ;  and  I  having,  as  I  told  him,  a  Defire 
to  fpeak  privately  with  him,  he  replied,  there 
were  none  there  but  his  good  Friends,  and  I 
might  fpeak  my  Mind.  I  told  him,  what  I  had 
to  fay  related  chiefly  to  himfelf,  and  in  fuch  a 
matter  as  he  might  not  be  w^illing  to  have  it 
expofed;  but  he  w^oiild  not  hear,  and  faid,  I 
might  fpeak.  it  there.  I  defired  he  would  not 
take  an  Offence  at  what  I  had  to  fay,  for  I  did 
fuppofe  it  to  be  a  Secret  ^o  all  there  but  himfelf; 

and 


(       177      ) 

and  then  I  faid,  the  matter  is,  When  thou  waft 
fpeaking  in  the  Meeting,  it  founded  in  the 
Ear  of  my  Soul  as  if  one  had  faid.  This  Man 
(meaning  thee)  is  not  ivholly  redeemed  out  of  a 
Belief  in  John's  Minijlration  of  Water ^  as  not 
having  done  its  Work,  Now  the  Matter  is 
before  thee,  thou  knoweft  whether  what  I  re- 
ceived be  true  or  falfe :  In  the  firft  place  I 
enquire  for  my  own  Satis fadlioji.  His  Anfwer, 
if  it  may  be  called  one,  was  as  foUoweth ;  he 
faid,  Th€  Dfciples  of  Chrifi^  when  they  baptized 
ivith  Water,  kneiv  that  it  was  the  Mind  of  their 
great  ^cfter  that  I  hey  fJoould  fo  baptize  :  I  faid, 
I  know  not  that  any  of  the  Apoftles  did  ever 
fay  fo  much  as  thou  wouldft  infinuate ;  for  both 
by  what  Peter  and  Paul  fay,  it  appears  very 
natural  to  be  the  Mind  of  Chrift,  only  to  con- 
defcend  to  fo  much  as  was  done  by  the  Apoftles 
in  tliat  of  Water,  becaufe  of  the  Peoples  Weak- 
nefs ;  and  no  Qiieftion  but  the  Je'Ufs  were  very 
much  fettled  in  the  Belief  of  John  the  Baptift's* 
Difpenfation  of  Water  to  Repentance,  and  alfb 
of  the  Circumcifion  and  Purifying,  and  many 
other  Things  ufed  amongft  that  People :  Now 
Peter,  when  the  Converts  v/ere  grown  ftronger 
in  the  Faith  and  in  the  Grace  of  God,  told 
them.  It  is  not  the  putting  aivay  the  Filth  of  the 
Flefh,  but  the  Arfuuer  of  a  good  Confcience  to^ivards 
God,  by  the  RefurreElion  of  fefus  Chrift  \  and 
Paul,,  although  he  did  once  in  Condefcention 
circumcife  Timothy,  yet  told  tl>e  People  at  ano- 
ther Time,  that  Neither  Circumcifion  nor  Uncir- 
cumcifion  availeth  any  things  but  a  new  Creature ; 

and 


(       tjS      ) 

aiid  if  they  zvti  e  circumcifed.  Chriii  %vould  t>rofil 
them  nothings  and  he  alfb  thanks  God,  he  bap'- 
tized  iio  more  than  CrifpuS  and  Gains,  and  th'B 
Hou/hold  of  ^t^ph'diwxs  ;  hefides  thefe^  hekneivnof 
that  he  had  baptized  any  other ^  for  Chrijl  Jent 
him  not  to  baptize^  Init  to  preach  the  Go/pel : 
And  I  am,  as  I  faid  to  the  Friend,  of  the  Pro- 
phet's Mind  when  he  faid.  The  Elements  Jhonld 
melt  as  ivith  Jervent  Heat :  If  the  Go/pel  Power 
be  not  this  ferment  Heat^  I  know  not  what  is, 
nor  what  is  able  to  melt  away  the  Elements^ 
But  I  further  faid,  if  he  was  a  Baptijl^  he 
fliould  deal  plainly  and  honeftiy  with  Friends, 
and  tell  them  what  he  was,  and  not  preach  one 
thing,  and  keep  fuch  Refervcs  to  himfelf. 

Friends  admired,  and  faid,  they  had  not  the 
leafl  Thought  of  any  fuch  Thing  by  him ;  fo 
he  faid,  he  would  not  fall  dtat  with  me.  I  told 
him,  I  was  as  mvich  for  Peace  as  he  was,  but 
at  the  fame  Time  I  would  have  us  to  mind  that 
we  were  found  in  the  Faith^  and  Preachers 
of  the  Gofpel,  and  not  go  back  again  into  the 
beggarly  Elements^  for  what  is  all  in  comparifon 
of  tlie  Love  of  God  in  Chriil  Jefvis* 

I  had  good  Service  and  great  Satisfacftion 
upon  this  Ifland,  although  1  found  Truth  fo 
low,  that  it  might  then  be  truly  faid  as  for- 
merly. By  isohom  Jljall  Jacob,  or  the  trne:  Seed, 
arife^  which  is  in  our  Apprehenfions  bul"  fmall, 
and  much  preffed  down  with  the  many  'iTiings; 
that  are  hurtful,  efpecially  by  the  Love  of 
INIoney,  Pride,  and  Forgetfulncfs  of  God  ? 

I  was 


{       ^79      ) 

t  was  invited  on  board  a  great  tranfport  Ship^ 
1?vrhereof  one  Reed  was  Mafter,  who  remembered 
me  when  I  was  but  young,  and  was  travelHng 
to  or  near  Scarborough ;  he  wa?  lovuig  to  me, 
and  feveral  Friends  who  were  vyith  me,  and  I 
had  good  Service  on  board.  There  was  alfo  on 
board  a  French  Proteftant,  now  a  Captain  of  the 
Englipj  tranfport  Soldiers  bound  for  'Jaynaica^ 
he  lodged  at  "John  Groves's  and  was  a  very  civil 
iVlan,  .and  faid,  if  I  would  go  with  Captain 
Reed  (who  offered,  if  I  was  going,  td  carry  mc 
to  Jamaica  free)  he  would  wait- on  me  if  I 
was  fick  or  ailed  any  thing;  and  would  gladly 
have  had  my  Company :  I  acknowledged  both 
their  Generofity  and  Civility  to  me,  and  fo_I 
took  leave  of  them,  and  of  the  noble  Captain 
Salter^  who  I  have  had  occalion  both  to  men- 
tion and  to  love,  who  toak  his  folid  leave  of 
me,  and  wept  like  a  Child,  and  faid  openly  in 
the  hearing  of  many,  that  he  never  loved  a  Ma?z 
Jo  voell  before^  and  tho  he  did  not  want  Biijinel\ 
yet  for  my  Jake  he  vobiild  ferve  my  Friends  wh'M 
lay  in  his  Poviiery  or  near  thofe  Words. 

I  find  as  we  live  and  walk  in  the  Truth, 
there  is  an  inward  Wit|iefs  which  God  hath 
placed  in  the  Jiearts  of  Men  that  is  'jeachable, 
except  in  fuch  who  are  arrive«;l,.ta  a  great  Degree 
of  Hardnefs  and  lafenfihility,  and  lb  have  little 
Senfe  or  Perceivance  of  Good,  either  in  them- 
felves  or  in  others,  which  is  a  deplorable  State 
and  much  to  be  lamented.  Oh  what  Grief  of 
Heart  and  Spirit  it  hath  been  to  me,  to  hear- 
and  fee  the  Wickednefs  of  fome!  if  fach 
A  a  Wickednefs 


(         l86        ) 

Wickednefs  was  as  great  a  Trouble  to  tlierrt 
who  adled  it,  as  it  was  to  me,  I  have  thought 
they  would  foon  grow  weary  of  it. 

Now  I  left  the  Ifland,  and  embarked  on  board 
a  Ship,  John  Griffith  Mafter,  bound  for  Brijlol 
in  Ola  England^  and  went  to  Sea  with  fome 
JEdJi-India  Ships  that  had  put  in  at  BarbadoeSy 
having  a  Ship  of  War  or  two  for  their  Convoy. 
After  we  were  got  to  Sea,  they  had  fo  much 
drinking  and  caroufing  that  we  grew  weary  of 
flaying  with  them,  and  after  fome  Confidera- 
tion,  the  Captain,  who  was  a  Friend,  left  them 
and  came  fafe  to  England, 

In  our  PafTage  we  had  fome  rough  Weather 
near  the  Tropick  which  I  mentioned  before^ 
and  the  Men  and  Captain  being  much  dif- 
ordered  with  watching  and  hard  Labour,  as  I 
remember,  for  eight  and  forty  Hours  Night  and 
Day,  a  Calm  enfuing,  the  Captain  defired  me 
to  take  his  Place  for  his  Watch,  and  mind 
the  Helmfman,  and  fee  that  he  made  ftraight 
Steerage;  but  alas!  he  was  fo  fleepy,  it  was 
next  to  impoffible  to  keep  him  awake.  I 
Walked  on  the  Deck,  and  had  \overmuch  Work 
to  mind  the  Compafs,  and  the  Helmfman  too, 
for  a  fine  Breeze  of  Wind  came  on,  and  all  of 
a  liidden  a  very  unufual  Fear  fell  on  me,  and  I 
looked  into  the  Sea,  and  beheld  it  appeared  to 
turn  blue,  and  as  far  as  I  could  difcern  to 
Windward,  I  faw  white  Caps  of  the  Water- 
freckle  ;  on  feeing  which,  through  Fear,  more 
than  any  great  Skill,  I  ftampt  with  my  Foot  as 
though    I  would  have  broke  the  Deck.      Out 

came 


(      i8i      ) 

came  the  Captain,  but  what  with  Fear  ami 
Sleep  he  could  fcarce  hit  the  Door  out  of  the 
Cabbin;  but  when  he  was  got  upon  the  Deck, 
he  ftampt,  and  called  out  all  his  Hands,  and 
bid  them  lower  and  furl  the  Sails  with  Speed, 
or  elfe  we  were  all  dead  Men,  for  here  is  a 
Hurricane  juft  upon  us :  And  no  fooner  was 
all  made  fnug  as  well  could  be  (as  the  Sea- 
men phrafe  it)  but  the  Wind  blew  fo,  that  we 
thought  it  would  have  turned  the  bottom  of 
the  Ship  upward :  The  like  I  never  faw ;  and, 
as  the  Captain  faid,  we  had  not  one  Minute  to 
fpare  of  being  caft  away,  according  to  allhumaii 
Probability ;  and,  as  the  Seamen  term  it,  it  was 
fuch  Hurry  durry  thick  Weather^  that  we  could 
fcarce  fee  any  thing  a  hundred  YardSj  which 
violent  Weather  held  for  about  an  Hour,  in 
which  tin^e  we  drove  by  a  Veffel,  and  were  fo 
near  her,  that  I  thought  I  could  have  flung  a 
Stone  aboard:  Our  Ship's  Crew  were  fore 
afraid,  and  looked  upon  her  to  be  a  Robber; 
her  Rudder  was  lafhed  or  tied  up,  and  the  Men 
were  all  gone  off  the  Deck,  but  our  Mariners 
were  fo  afFriglited,  that  they  thought  they 
would  fet  fome  fail  and  follow  us  \  for  no 
fooner  were  we  pail  this  Ship  but  the  Weather 
grew  better,  and  away  we  ran  in  hazard  of 
bringing  the  Mafts  by  the  board,  but  through 
the  divine  Providence  of  him  that  is  Lord  over 
all,  both  Sea  and  Land,  we  efcaped  and  came 
fafe  into  Cork  in  Ireland^  where  the  Mafler 
lived,    aqd  rode  there    for    fome    time,    and 

then 


(  l82         ) 

then   weighed   for  Brijlol,     intending    for  the 
Yearly-meeting  there. 

We  had  rough  Weather  in  croffing  the  Chan- 
nel^  before  we  came  into  the  Se^jeru,  where  our 
.Sailors,  being  afraid  of  being  prcft,  launched 
the  Boat,  and  ran  away  into  Cor-nzuall^  leav- 
ing but  four  on  board  to  bring  the  Ship  iip 
the  River.  We  faw  a  Pinnace,  having  in  it  a 
Lieutenant  with  a  Crew  of  preffed  Men,  to  prefs 
more  if  they  could  find  them,  and  our  Mafter 
\:al]ed  on  me,  and  defircd  I  w^ould  put  on  my 
befl  Cloaths  and  come  to  him,  and  (5  I  did, 
and  he  fat  me  on  his  right  Hand:  By  this 
time  vip  comes  the  Lieutenant  and  afked  for  my 
Men,  taking  me  to  be  the  Mafter;  I  told  him, 
they  had  launched  the  Long-boat  and  v/ere 
gone,  and  we  could  npt  hinder  them,  they  be- 
ing the  ftrongeft  Party ;  at  which  he  appeared 
very  much  enraged,  and  feemed  as  though  he 
w^ould  have  flruck  at  me.  I  told  him  calrnly, 
he  had  more  need  pity  than  be  angry  with  us, 
for  if  there  fliould  be  a  Gale  of  Wind,  we  w^ere 
in  great  Danger  of  all  perifhing  for  want  of 
Hands,  for  I  ihewed  him  what  Force  we  had,, 
viz.  James  Bates,  whom  I  did  not  then  .call 
niy  Companion,  nor  John  Griffith  Captain,  the 
Cabbin  Boy  and  mylelf  w'cre  all  the  Men  on 
board.  But  he  alked,  what  for  a  Manthatwas 
who  fat  befideme?  I  told  him,  he  was  a  Man 
fufficiently  fecured  againft  the  Prefs:  Then  the 
rough  Man  fell,  and  faid,  I  looked  like  an 
Iioneft  Man,  and  he  would  take  my  Word  and 
not  fearch  for  Men :  So  I    ordered  a  Bottle  of 


{       ^83       ) 

the  bed  Liquor  on   board  to  be  brought,  and 
then  the  Lieutenant  and  I  parted  very  friendly. 

I  write  not  this  as  a  Thing  I  approved,  but 
difliked ;  but  being  taken  at  unav^^ares,  had  not 
time  to  fnun  it  (as  before  mentioned)    unlefs   I 

^  had  expofed  my  Friend  the  Mafter  of  the  Ship; 
akhough  I  neither  fald  nor  did,  that  I  know  of, 
any  thing  worfe  than  what  thou  feeft  here 
written ;  1  to!d  the  Captain  I  thought  he  was  a 
great  Cov/ard,  and  had  expofed  ifiQ  to  Danger 
to  fave  himfelf. 

Wind  and  Weather  favouring  us,* we  came 
in  due  time  to  Briftol  Yearly-meeting,  where  I 
met  with  V/iUiam  Edmiindfon^  and  w^as  truly 
glad  to  fee  him  with  many  more  at  that  Place ; 
but  my  Companion  falHng  fick,  I  was  made 
willing  to  leave  him,  and  travelled  to  London 
with  John  E^at/on  of  Ireland^  and  a  fweet  fpi- 
rited  Man  he  w^as ;  we  got  to  London  Yearly- 
meeting,  where  I  difcharged  myfelf  of  what  I 
had  upon  my  Jvlind,  and  came  away  in  Peace, 
and  in  the  feeling  of  the  Love  of  God. 

John  Haydock  and  I  came  from  London  to- 
gether, and  had  Meetings  in  our  way  to  York 
Yearly-meetino;,  where  1  was  glad  to  fee  my 
Home-Friends,  and  to  enjoy  the  Love  of 
God  once  more  with  them;  for  this  is  cur 
principal  Crown  and  Kingdom  in  this  World,^ 
to   enjoy    the   favourable    Countenance  of  the' 

'  Lord,  and  one  another  in  his  living  and  internal 
Prefence;    and  when    I   looked    back   upon  all 
the  Mercies    and  Deliverances  I   had    received' 
from  the  Mighty  God  of  Heaven    and  Earth'^ 
'      '        -  .  Sea^'^^ 


(      184      ) 

Seas,  and  Rivers  of  Water,  whofe  Hand  made 
all,  and  whofe  Eye  and  watchful  Providence 
attends  all,  and  is  over  all,  my  Soul  was  tilled 
with  Thanks  and  Praifes  to  the  great  and  moft 
excellent  Name  of  him  who  lives  for  ever,  and 
hath  helped  my  Soul  to  overcome  many  ftrong 
Temptations,  and  hath  borne  up  my  Head 
under  many  deep  Afliiftions  and  Tribulations, 
renowned  for  ever  be  his  holy  Name. 

I  came  home  the  i8th  of  the  Fourth   Month 
1703,  and  found  my  Children  well;  and  now 
I  was  under  a  Thoughtful nefs  how  to  walk  and 
demean  myfelf  fo,  as  that  I  might  be  preferved 
near  the  Lord,  and  in  due  Reverence  and  true 
Fear  before    him;    that  inafmuch  as  I   found 
there  was  fomething  of  Holinefs  unto  the  Lord 
imprinted  or  ingraven  upon  the  fleflily  Table  of 
my  Heart,  that  now  in  this  Time,  when  I  was 
not  fo  particularly  and  immediately  concerned 
in  the  like  daily  Travel  on  Truth's  Account,  I 
might  not  lofe  the  Savour,  Relifh  and  Senfation 
of -heavenly  Things.     Some  will  read  me  here, 
in   this  fliort  Survey  I  have  been  taking  of  my 
prefent  State  andThoughtfulnefs,  that  if  I  could 
not  make  it  better,  I  might  not  make  it  worfe, 
.    either  in  doing,  or  not  doing  any  thing  that 
might   prove  a  hurt  to   me ;  for  a  VelTel   had 
L  better  be  laid  by,  if  it  can  be  fpared,  than  ufed 
w  to  its  hurt.     Now  in  this  careful  and  watchful 
i\  Frame  of  Mind,   I  have  found  PrefervaS)n  from 
r   time    to  time  to  this  Day,  by  retaining  the  Salt 
Jiecf  the   Kingdom  in  the   Soul   of  the   inward 
yioMan,  which  is  of  a  preferving  Quality,  with 

which 


(       i85      ) 

which  the  Veflel  is,  and  can  only  be  kept  &t 
for  the  Maftcr's  Ufe:  If  we  lofe  this,  the  Crea- 
ture foon  grows  out  of  Order  and  unfit  for  the 
Mailer's  Ufe.  Read  and  confider  thefe  Things 
in  Time,  whik  thou  haft  the  Prize  in  thy 
Hand,  and  Time  to  do,  and  receive  Good  at 
the  Hand  of  him  who  is  truly  full  of  Good^ 
and  is  all  Good;  to  him  be  the  Offerings  of 
Pr^ife  and  Renown,  now  and  for  ever. 

Whilft  I  remained  at  Home,  as  my  ufual 
Manner  was,  I  attended  Firft-day,  and  Week- 
day, and  Monthly-meetings,  as  alfo  Quarterly 
and  other  Meetings  for  the  Service  of  Truth, 
and  vifited  many  Meetings  up  and  down  in  the 
Country,  and  had  good  Service  and  much  Satis- 
faclion  in  being  given  up  to  the  Service  of 
Truth ;  but  did  not  fee  it  convenient  (as  my 
Children  were  well  placed)  to  fettle  to  keep  a 
Family,  until  my  Way  appeared  clear  to  marry, 
which  did  now  draw  on,  and  after  I  had  been 
near  feven  Years  a  Widower  I  married  Jnne 
Robin/on^  who  defcended  of  a  fubftantial  Family 
at  Hutton  in  the  Hole^  in  the  Parifh  of  Lejling- 
ham^  not  far  from  Kirby-moorftde  in  Torlz/hire. 

We  had  not  been  married  much  above  two 
Years,  before  my  Wife  began  to  appear  in  the 
public  Work  of  the  Minillry,  and  indeed  very 
comfortably  and  acceptably  to  Friends,  and  flie 
grew  ^in  Underftanding  both  of  the  Difcipline 
of  the  Church  of  Chrift,  and  alfo  in  further 
Knowledge  in  the  Work  of  the  living  Miniftry, 
6'^.  And  abovit  that  time  it  came  upon  me  to 
vifit  Friends  in  oioft  of  the  Northern  Counties 

in 


(       i86       ) 

ill  England',  and  feme  fmall  time  after  my 
Return,  I  had  a  Concern  to  vifit  Friends  in 
feveral  Parts  of  the  Southern  Counties,  Thomas 
Bccdal  being  my  Companion,  \  ho  grew  in  the 
Truth,  and  alfo  in  the  Miniflry:  We  had 
many  good  Meetings  in  that  Journ-r-y,  good  Ser- 
vice and  great  Satisfacftion,  and  I  returned  Home 
in  Peace. 

Now  I  may  fay  with  Sorrow  of  Heart,  the 
Time  drew  on  apace  when  my  virtuous  Wife 
and  I  muft  part,  and  be  no  longer  Meet-helpS 
to  one  another,  which  we  truly  were,  and 
never  had  either  ev^l  Word  or  evil  Thought 
againfl  each  other^  I  am  fully  fatislied;  but 
lived  in  Peace  and  trlie  Love  one  with  another, 
and  were  glad  when  we  could  either  one  or 
both  ferve  Truth  and  Friends  :  Therefore  I  find 
it  on  my  Mind,  in  this  Place,  to  infcrt  the  fol- 
lowing Relation  concerning  her,  viz. 


4  Jhorf  ACCOUNT  of  the  Life, 
Convincement,  QuaHfications,  and  dying 
Sayings  of  that  faithful  Handmaid  of  the 
Lord^  Anne  Richardson,  ^L.vho  departed  this. 
Life  the  i%th  of  the  Tivelfth  Month,  171 1,- 
aged  about  Thirty  three  Tears, 

^C   O  H  E    v^as  defcended  of  an  honefl:   and 

k3     coliiiderable  Fan>ily  of  the  liohinfons,  at 

Hilt  ton     in     the    Hole   in    Yorkjhire,    and  was 

convinced   in  her  young   Years,  ?.nd ,  received 

the 


(       i^7-     ) 

tile  Truth  in  the  Love  of  it,  and  it  became 
Valuable  and  precious  to  her  above  all  Thhigs 
in  this  World ;  and  through  the  bleffed 
Work  and  Operation  of  the  Grace  and  holy 
Spirit  of  Truth,  fhe  was  weaned  from  the 
World's  Pleafures,  Vanities  and  Ilecreadons, 
from  taking  any  Delight  iri  them;  and 
through  the  virtuous  and  moft  precious  Blood 
of  Ghrift^  jfhe  came  to  witnefs  her  heart 
fprinkled  from  an  evil  Confcience,  and  in  a 
good  degree  made  able  to  ferve  the  living 
God,  and  bore  a  faithful  Teftimony  againft 
the  needlefs  and  fuperfluous  DrefTes  and 
tafhioiis  of  the  Worlds  as  alfo  againft  the 
corrupt  Language  thereof;  and  came  to  be 
a  great  Lover  of  Virtue  and  Purity,  and  had 
great  Satisfaction  in  being  in  good  Friends 
Company,  and  at  Friends  Meetings,  and  in 
much  Retirement  and  waiting  upon  the  Lord, 
who  in  great  Mercy  and  Condefcention  to 
the  Defire  of  liis  Handmaid,  gave  her  a  large 
Share,  not  only  of  the  Enjoyment  of  his 
living  Power  and  internal  Prefence,  but  alfo 
a  Knowledge^  and  clear  Sight  into  thofe 
Things  that  appertained  to  Life  and  Salva- 
tion: And  after  Truth  thus  prevailed  over 
her,  and  brought  every  Thought  into  the 
Gbedieii^e  of  Chrift,  and  fubjeded  her  Will 
to  the  \Vill  of  God,  which  is  a  great  Work^ 
yet  requifite  to  the  nezu  Birth^  without  which 
there  is  no  Regeneration  \  and  without  Rege- 
neration and  being  born  again,  there  is  no 
^ntring  into  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven* 

B  b  ''  After 


(       i88      ) 

'*^^  After  this  great  Change  was  wrought  in 
her,  it  was  evident  through  the  remaining 
Part  of  her  Tim€,  that  Ihe  was  mvich  pre-* 
ferved  under  the  Povv-er,  Influence,  and 
Guidance  of  the  peaceable,  meek  and  quiet 
Spirit  of  Jefus  Chrift,  and  grew  daily  more 
and  more  in  the  Favour  and  love  of  God, 
and  w^as  much  beloved  of  God's  People,  and 
indeed  of  her  Relations,  Neighbours  and  Ac- 
quaintance, w^ho  were  not  of  her  Perfuafion, 
and  walked  ib  w^felj  and  prudently  in  all 
her  Ways,  that  Ihe  fought  not  her  own 
Honour  and  Intereft,  but  the  Honour  of  the 
Lord,  and  inward  Peace  with  him,  which 
Ihe  had  a  Regard  unto  in*  all  her  Under- 
takings ;  fo  that  even  fuch  who  fought  for  an 
Occafion  againft  Truth  and  the  Profeflbrs  of 
it,  had  nothing  to  fay  againft  h<^r,  not  even 
from  her  Childhood  to  the  Day  of  her  Death, 
for  fne  was  generally  beloved  and  fpoken 
xvell  of  by  all  who  knew  her,  and  many 
were  deeply  and  Ibrrowfully  affecfted  to  part 
with  her,  both  Friends  and  others;  the  like 
hath  not  often  been  feen  in  thofe  Parts,  and 
not  without  fome  Caufe,  for  flie  was  a 
Woman  of  an  upright  Life,  and  exemplary 
Converfation  before  all,  and  gave  no  Offence 
to  Jeiu  or  Gentik,  nor  to  the  Church  of 
Chrift;  charitable  to  the  Poor,  a  true  Sym- 
pathizer with  fuch  as  were  in  Aflliflion  and 
Diflrefs,  whether  in  Body  or  in  Mind,  which 
was  manifefted  in  her  frequent  Vilits  to  fuch, 
and   by    other   Means    clearly    dcmonftrated : 

She . 


{       i89       ) 

^^^he  was  a  Woman  endued  with  great  Pati- 
ence, and  with  a  quiet  and  ferene  Mind,  • 
well  qualified  and  fitted  to  her  Hufband's 
Circuinftances,  (whofe  Lot  it  was  often  to 
be  abroad  in  the  Service  of  the  Truth)  an , 
honourable  and  a  faithful  Wife,  willing  to 
give  up  her  all  for  Chrift  and  the  Goipel's 
fake,  counting  nothing  in  this  World  too 
near  and  dear  to  part  with,  for  the  Glory  of 
God,  and  Advancement  of  the  ever  biefTed 
Truth,  Peace  and  Salvation  of  her  own  Soul, 
and  the  Good  of  others. 

'•  One  Thing  is  remarkable  and  w^orthy  of 
Commemoration,  which  I  infert  as  follow- 
eth,  that  others  in  the  like  Cafe  may  not 
barely  and  outwardly  imitate  her,  but  feel- 
ingly come  up  in  her  heavenly  Practice  and 
Experience,  under  the  Influence,  Light  and 
Help  of  God*s  holy  and  bleffed  Spirit,  ijiz. 
When  that  worthy  Servant  of  Jefus  Chrifl, 
John  BoiJujTeacl^  returned  from  London  Yearly- 
meeting  through  feveral  Counties  to  Tork^  and 
fo  Home  with  me,  not  long  \^tiovt  my  Wife 
was  taken  away:  and  having  fome  Difcourfe 
with  her,  he  afked  about  feveral  Things  of 
Moment,  efpecially  about  Jjer  Husband  being 
fo  much  from  Home^  fhe  gave  him  this  An- 
fwer;  That  inafmuch  as  ftje  gave  up  her 
Husband  cheerfully  and  freely  to  Jerve  the  Lord^ 
and  to  be  ferviceable  to  the  Church  ef  Chr'ijl^ 
Jhe  did  not  only  Jynipathize  and  feel  ivith  him 
va  his  mofl  adverfe  and  loiv  State ^  but  partook 
':v:th    him    in    his    heft   Enjoyments^    "when    ths 

Foiven 


(       19^      ) 

Power  of  Truth  prevailed  over  all  its  Enemies : 
alt  ho*  I  am  then  far  from  him^  yet  I  partake  of 
the  Spoils  or  the  fhedding  abroad  of  the  good 
Things  of  God  among  his  Feopte^  as  my  Heart 
goes  along  uuith  t^e  Work  of  the  Lord^  and 
fuch  as  are  engaged  in  it ;  atid  in  all  my  Huf- 
band's  Afflictions  /  atn  ajflicled  ivith  hi^n:  And 
one  of  my  main  Concerns  is^  that  neither  /, 
7ior  any  Thing  .In  this  World ^  may  detain  my 
Husband  from  doing  ivhat  the  Lord  calls  for 
at  his  I^and\  for  if  any  Thing  hurt  him  as  to, 
the  Truth ^  ivhat  Good  can  I  expetl  of  him? 
This  John  much  admired,  with  the  deep  and 
weighty  Reaifons  fhe  gave  about  the  Chrifiian 
Pifciphne  of  the  Church,  and  concerning 
the  Mlniftry,  the  like,  he  faid,  he  bad  no^ 
piet  with  iu  all  his  Travels  before;  yet  ftie 
\vai5  a  Womj^n  of  few  Words,  and  expreft 
much  in  a  little  Compafs:  And  when  fhe 
was  taken  away,  oh  !  the  Lpfs  and  Sorrow 
he  expreffed  to  nae  in  a  Letter  concerning  her 
Death. 

*'  She  was  very  clear  in  her  Underflanding^ 
had  a  penetrating  and  difcerning  Eye,  a  great 
and  inward  Senfe  of  the  State  of  a  Meeting, 
as  alfo  of  their  feverai  particular  States.  I 
cannot  at  preient  defcribe  to  the  full  all  the 
hiddeu  Virtues  of  this  Handmaid  of  the 
Lord,  but  there  were  inany  vifible  Fruits 
of  her  virtuous  Mind,  that  did  appear  to  the 
Children  of  Men,  fome  of  which  were  thefe, 
viz.  She  was  an  afFedlionate  and  tender 
Mother  to   her   Children,  yet  did  correcfl  them 

when 


(       «9i       ) 

when  Occafion  required,  without  Paffion,  or 
the  leaft  Appearance  of  Diforder  of  lyiind, 
and  ftill  had  them  ill  great  Subjecflion;  at 
which  I  often  admired,  and  thought,  furely 
ilie  is  com^e,  by  the  Workings  of  the  holy 
Spirit,  to  a  greater  Dominion  over  her  own 
Spirit  than  many  who  appeared  to  be  her 
Equals.  She  was  a  true  Chriftian,  a  loving 
and  dutiful  Child  to  her  Rarents^  a  good 
Neighbour,  a  faithful  Wife,  a  loving  and 
t:euder-hearted  Dame  over  her  Servants,  and 
overcame  them  with  Love,  and  was  much 
beloved  by  them,  and  alfo  feared ;  they  loved 
her,  and  were  very  unwilling  to  difoblige  or 
pflTend  her. 

*-  She  appeared  and  behaved  herfelf  as  be- 
i:ame  ^  fandified  Veflel,  that  was  in  a  good 
flegree  fitteci  and  prepared  for  the  great 
Mafter's  Ufe,  and  often  appeared  as  one  that 
had  been  fecretly  in  ibme  Intercourfe  with 
Jefus  Ghrift  in  Spirit,  where  his  Glory  had 
pipre  particularly  ihone  in  and  over  her  Soul, 
not  only  becaufe  of  the  Gravity  and  Solidity 
of  her  Countenance,  but  alfo  the  Tender- 
nefs,  Humility  and  Sweetnefs  of  her  Mind 
4ad  Spirit,  Weightinefs  of  her  Converfation, 
Edification  of  her  Advice,  Soundnefs  of  her 
judgment,  and  Clearnefs  of  her  Underftand- 
ing,  all  which  made  her  Company  very 
acceptable  while  among  the  Living.  Her 
Heart  was  often  filled  with  the  Love  of  God, 
^nd  e^rly  raifed  and  enabled  to  fpeak  a  Word 

in 


(        192        ) 

in  Seafon  unto   many  States   and  Conditions^ 
whether    at     home    or    abroad,    in   her    own 
Family,   amongft   her  Neighbours,    or    in   the 
Church    of    Chrift,    in   Teilimony  to    Matters 
relating  to  the  Worlhip  of  God,  or  in  Matters 
relating   to  Difcipline,  efpecially  in  the  Meet- 
ings of  her   own  Sex,   where  Ihe  had  a  great 
Service,     and     will    be    greatly    w^antcd.     She 
had  great  Care  upon  her  for  the  good  Educa- 
tion  of  our  Youth  in  Plainnefs  of  Habit  and 
Language,  that    they   might  be  preferved  out 
of  the  Corruptions    of   the  World    in  all   the 
Parts  thereof;  in   all  which   Services  ilie    will 
be   much  miffed  :    Yet  we  being  fenfible,  that 
her   Removal    is   her   great  Gain,  it    helps    to 
alleviate    our    Sorrow    and     Lofs,     which    ^s 
great,     and    will     not     foon  be    forgotten   by 
many    who   had  the   Benefit    and   Comfort    of 
her    good  Services.       Alfo    her   w^atchful  and 
foiid  fitting  in  our  Meetings    for  Worffiip  was 
remarkable,   with  very   little  Motion  that  was 
perceivable;    yet   when    the  leafl    Stirrings     of 
Life  in   her  Mind  were  perceived,  in  order  to 
bring    her   forth     iu  Teftimony,  the  Meeting 
was  truly  glad,  and  the  Living  amongfl:  us  re- 
joiced at  it,   for   her  Appearance  was  with  the 
Wife,  and  in  the  Language  of  the  Holy   Spirit; 
^vhich    was    a    clear    Demonflration    that    the 
Work    was   the  Lord's    and   by    and  through 
liis    Spirit   and   Power ;   all    which    gave  her  a 
great  Place  in  the    Minds    of  faithful   Friends 
and  Brethren.     But  (hf  is  gone  in  the   Prime 

and 


nnd  Flower  of  her  Age!  which  fets  befor<5 
and  is  a  Memento  unto  us,  to  iliew  us  the 
Uncertainty  of  our  Time  here,  and  to  pre- 
pare for  one  certain  to  come,  that  Death  may 
not  overtake  us  at  unawares  before  we  arc  pipe- 
pared  for  it. 

*'  I  come  now  to  the  Time  of  her  long 
Weaknefs,  in  which  fhe  was  prefervcd  in 
great  Patience,  Steadinefs  and  Refignation  of 
Mind  to  the  Will  of  God,  even  unto  the 
-End  ;  and  fhe  enjoyed  much  heavenly  Com- 
fort and  Confolation  in  the  living  Prefence  of 
the  Lord  to  her  immortal  Soul,  fo  that  when 
Ihe  was  allied,  Whether  ihe  thought  flie 
might  recover  or  not  ?  She  mildly  replied, 
She  'was  afraid  to  defire  to  live  \  hecaufe^  faid 
fhe,  /  believe  if  it  pleafe  the  Lord  to  take  me 
avuay  noi.v^  it  will  be  vuellwith  me^  for  I  find 
nothing  that  lies  as  a  Burden  upon  my  Spirit. 
At  another  Time  flie  faid,  As  to  that  Uttk 
Teflimony  I  have  been  concerned  in^  this  is  my 
Comfort  and  Satisfaiiion^  that  I  can  truly  Jay 
I  did  not  kindle  any  f  range  FirCy  and  there- 
fore could  not  warm  rnyfelf  at  the  Sparks 
thereof  \  but  vuhat  I  did  in  that  flatter  i^as^ 
in  the  Conflrainings  of  the  Love  of  God ;  and 
vohen  my  Cup  was  full^  I  a  little  emptied 
7nyfelf  among  the  Lord's  People,  yet  very  Jen- 
fible  of  my  own  Weakne/s  and  Poverty^  and 
often  thought  myfelf  unvoorthy  of  the  lea/I  of 
the  Lord's  Mercies, 

"  Many  favoury  ExprefTions  flie  f]:)oke   that 
were    not    written  then,  and   therefore   could 

not 


(      194      ) 

hot  be  remembered;  we  having  fome  Hopes 
df  her  Recovery,  it  rather  caufed  an  Omifliori 
as  to  fuch  a  due  Obfervance  of  w^hat  flie  faid 
as  otherwife  it  is  like  would  have  been; 
although  fhe  was  heard  to  fay  not  long  before 
fhe  fell  weak,  She  thought  het'  Tme  nvould  not 
be  long  in  this  Worlds  I  never  heard  an  un- 
becoming or  unfavory  Word  come  from 
her,  let  the  Provocation  thereto  be  what  it 
would,  no,  not  in  the  Time  of  her  Health ; 
and  in  her  Weaknefs,  flie  \Vas  milch  fwal- 
lowed  up  in  the  luminous  and  internal  Pre- 
fence  of  her  Lord  and  Saviour  Jefus  Chriftj 
and  often  fang  Praifes  unto  his  worthy 
Name,  and  appeared  as  one  wholly  redeemed 
from  this  World,  whofe  Heart  was  fet  upon^ 
and  Mind  intent,  and  earneflly  engaged  in 
the  Purfuit  after  Heaven  and  heavenly  Things. 
BlefTed  be  the  Lord,  flie  had  witnefled  a  Part 
in  the  firft  RefiirreBion^  and  over  fuch  the 
fecond  Death  hath  no  Poiver ;  and  no  doubt 
but  flie  lived  and  believed  in  Jefus  Chrifl:, 
even  unto  the  End  of  her  Time  here,  and 
pafied  away  without  any  Appearance  o^ 
Struggling  or  Sorrow,  I  believe  into  a  Man- 
lion  of  Glory,  where  her  Soul  fhall  fing 
Hallelujah  to  the  Lord  God  and  the  Lamb 
for  ever,  with  all  thofe  who  have  overcome 
the  World,  the  Deaft,  and  falfe  Prophet, 
and  every  Thing  the  Lord*s  Gontroverfy  is 
with,  and  who  have  not  loved  their  Lives 
unto  Death,  but  given  up  that  Life  they 
had  in  any  wrons;  Thine;  whatfoever*'* 

Wheii 


{       ^9S  '  1 

.■       J       r      ,  .  '  . 

When  I  had  drawn  up  the  foregoing  Account, 
and  fliewed  it  to  fbme  difcreet  Friends,  they 
faid,  it  IV as  not  beyond' her  Worth;  yet  when  I 
looked  it  over  again,  with  an  Intent  to  infert  it 
here,  I  thought  it  looked  too  larg^;  but  upon 
more  mature  Dejiberation,  I  could  not  find 
what  part  to  omit,  but  it  would  hurt  the  whole 
Matter,  therefore  as  I  found  it  contained  En- 
couragement to  all  tender  and  v/ell-minded 
People,  to  perfevere  in  Faithfulnefs  to  the  End  ; 
Caution  againfl  Pride,  Paffion,  and  indulging  or 
fparing  any  wrong  Thing  in  Church  or  Family  • 
and  fomething  of  Advice  to  feveral  Conditions 
and  Growths  in  the  Church  of  Chrift ;  it ,  ap- 
peared moft  eafy  to  me,  not  to  lofe  any  of 
thofe  good  Fragments  vvhich  had  any  thing  of  a 
heavenly  Savour  in  them,  and  if  I  have  not 
miffed  it,  there  is  fomething  that  has  a  living 
Relifh,  for  without  that  I  fhould  foon  be  weary 
of  either  writing  or  fpeaking. 

Not  long  after  the  Departure  of  my  \Vife,  it 
came  upon  me  to  vifit  the  fouthern  Parts  of 
England^  and  fome  part  of  Wales.  ^  and  I  had 
good  Service  and  great  Satisfadlion;  and  I  was 
rtifo  at  London^  John  Adam  being  my  Compa- 
nion, who  was  an  innocent,  clean  fpirited 
Man. 

Again,  I  found  it  required  of  me  to  vifit  the 
South  Wefl  Parts  of  England^  in  the  Year  1717, 
and  I  travelled  through  the  Weft-  Part  of  rb;4- 
JJj'ire^  into  Weftmorekmd^  Lancajhlre^  Chejhlre^ 
and  fo  on  to  Brijlol^  and  as  far  as  Cornwall^  and 
had  many  good  Meetings;  although  I  travelled 

G  c  alone, 


(       '96      ) 

alone,  yet  the  Lord,  in  whom  I  put  my  Truft 
and  depended  upon,  helped  me,  and  bore  up 
niy  Head  through  and  over  all,  renowned  be 
his  moft  honourable  Name,  now  and  for  ever.  • 


^/^   A  C  C  O  U  N  T     of  my    Vifit 
/^Friends    in    Ireland. 

IN  the  Year  1722  it  was  renewed  upon  me 
to  go  into  Ireland  \  the  Thoughts  of  it  had 
been  long  upon  my  Mind,  but  now  the  Time 
feemed  to  be  fully  come,  to  pay  that  long 
thought  of  Vifit ;  and  Jofeph  Bunting  of  Cum- 
berland being  my  Companion,  we  went  from 
Kendal  Yearly-meeting  which  was  a  large  and 
good  Meeting,  and  paffed  along  to  Whitehaven^ 
and  took  lliipping  for  Dublin^  and  ftaid  their 
Half- Years  Meeting,  which  was  large,  and  in 
which  the  living  Power  and  Prefence  of  the 
Lord  was  felt  amongft  us ;  exalted  over  all  be 
the  mighty  Name  of  the  Lord,  for  thofe  and  all 
his  Mercies. 

I  had  there  many  good  Meetings,  and  alfo 
met  with  fome  hard  ones  (as  is  the  Lot  of  fuch 
who  are  called  to  this  Vocation)  and  the  beft 
way  I  have  found,  when  I  met  with  fuch,  is 
firft  to  regard  our  Cally  then  to  mind  our  dailj 
Steps  we  take  in  that  Vocation  into  which  we 
are  called,  and  take  fpecial  Care  to  have  along 
w^ith  us  the  Company  and  Counjel  of  him  that 
hath  fo  called  us ;  this  is   the  way   fully  and 

truly 


(      197      ) 

truly  to  difcharge  ourfelves  of  that  Truft  the 
Lord  hath  repofed  in  us,  to  the  mutual  Coin^ 
fort  and  Edification  of  the  Churches  of  Chrift, 
and  alfo  to  the  Peace  and  Confolation  of  our 
own  Souls. 

It  is  now  with  me  to  write  the  following 
Remarks  of  Ireland^  which  will  not  be  remote 
to  the  State  of  Friends  in  many  other  Places, 
where  there  is  a  right,  found,  living  Miniftry 
preferved,  and  good  Difcipline  exercifed,  which 
moftly  go  together :  There  Truth  and  Friends 
are  kept  generally  in  good  Efteem,  and  alfa 
thriving;,  but  where  thefe  fail,  efpegially  the 
Difcipliney  oh!  how  undue  Liberty,  and  the 
F^fhions  of  the  World,  with,  naany  corrupting 
Things,  creep  in  amongft  the  ProfefTors  of 
Truth,  even  unto  the  Reproach  thereof,  and 
Scandal  of  thofe  who  are  fo  prevailed  upon; 
and  hearty  Sorrow  of  fuch  as  know  and  feel 
the  Hurt  of  thefe  Things:  Oh  I  what  a  Hin-? 
derance  this  is  to  the  Progrefs  of  the  ever  blefled 
Truth  in  the  Earth ;  and  indeed  it  hath  been  in 
piy  Mind,  that  the  main  Work  in  this  our  Day 
is  to  fearch  into,  the  Churches,  and  endeavour 
to  bring  them  into  fuch  a  Condition,  that  it 
may  once  more  be  faid,  Follpiv  Chriji  as  yoic 
have  us  for  Examples ;  not  only  here  and  there 
one,  but  the  Believers  in  general;  fo  it  will 
be,  when  we  as  a  People  all  fpeak  the  fame 
Thing,  or  that  which  is  agreeable,  as  well  in 
our  Pradice  (fo  often  recommended)  as  in  Faith 
and  Dodrine;  for  I  have  ever  underftood 
Examples   to   be  more  prevalent  than  Precept ; 

but 


(       198       ) 

but  if  any  amongft  FriendG  be  grown  fo  hardy- 
and  fo  unfenfible,  as  to  prefer  fome  foolifh 
Fafhions,  which  to  me  appear  to  be  fliameful  an4 
nndecent,  it  is  an  evident  Demonftration  they 
are  departed  too  much  from  the  Principles  and 
Pradices  of  our  worthy  Elders  in  the  Truth ; 
which  I  fear  is  the  cafe  of  too  rnany,  both  iii 
that  Nation  and  in  England, 

Let  not  any  fay,  that  I  fmite  in  the  Dark, 
and  do  not  tell  what  I  mean ;  -for  fome  few  par- 
ticulars I  intend  to  mention  for  the  Eafe  of  my 
Mind  :  I  have  feen  feveral  Changes  of  Fafhions 
in  forty  Years  Time ;  our  firll  Friends  and  Pro- 
moters of  Truth  carne  out  in  the  Lord's  Work 
and  heavenly  Power,  plain^  and  generally  con- 
tinued fo  for  their  Time ;  but  alas !  how  foon 
there  appeared  an  Alteration,  in  fome  Men 
efpecially.  when  the  Weight  of  Sufferings  wa« 
over;  it  ihen  began  to  appear,  and  hath  from 
time  to  time  continued  to  encreafe  ever  fince, 
among  fome  profe fling  Truth  with  us,  not  only 
in  extra'uagant  Wigs^  with  much  Powder  in 
them,  but  alfo  in  Crofs-pockets^needlefs  Capes ^ 
and  divers  Cuts  and  Shapes  in  their  Cloathing]^ 
ia  Conformity  to  the  prevailing  Fafliions  of  the 
7 lines,  as  well  as  in  Jetting  up  their  Hats  \  all 
which  appear  to  be  more  likely  to  lead  thofe, 
who  follow  them,  into  Egypty  or  the  World 
again,  than  into  the  heavenly  Country  or  Ca- 
naaUy  w^hich  we  profefs  to  be  prefling  after,  and 
hope  to  obtain  in  the  End. 

Now,  not  to  let  the  Females  pafs  w^ithout  my 
Obfervation  on  them :  I  well  remember  in  my 

younger 


(     ;99     ) 

jTQunger  Years,  efpecially  in  great  Towns  and 

Cities,  I  have   met  with  thofe    that   profefled 

Truth  with  us,  who  have  had   but  very  Httle 

Coverings  on  their  Heads,  and  others  that  have 

had  more  fet  up  at  a  confiderable  Diftance  above 

their  Foreheads,  and  both  thefe  Sorts  perhaps 

bare  flecked.     When  I  have  met  with  fuch  I  have 

faid,  What  ^  fair  or  beautiful  Daughter  of  Zion 

w:ouldft  thou  be  if  thou  wouldft  put  on  Truth 

and   Chrift's   Righteoufnefs,  and  put  away   all 

thefe  foolifli  Fafhions  ?  And  in  Families,  when 

I  have  afked  fome  Particulars,  v;hat  they  could 

fay  for  tl  efe  Dreffes,  and  being  fo  naked,  both 

Neck  and  Shoulders^  I  received  this  Anfwer,  or 

ifomething  like  it.     That  it  was  good  for  their 

Healthy    to  keep  their  Temples  cool^  and   to    learn 

to  he  hardy ^  hy  expcfing  then^J elves  thus  to  the  Air 

in  their  Youth:  But  if  that  was  the  true  Reafon, 

I  added  this  Caution  to  them ;  to  confider  duly, 

if  Religion  did  not^  yet  the   Modejly  of  their  Sex 

fjjould^  reclaim  thein  from  it.     Sometimes,  with 

the  Diflike  "I  fhewed  to  thefe  Things,  I   advifed 

them,  that   they    ivoidd  cover  their  naked  Skin^ 

and  no  more  expofe  themjelves  to  the  Luf  and  vain 

Speculation  of  the  ivorfl^    and  great    Trouble   of 

their  bejl  Friends  ;  and  worft  of  all,   to  the  great 

Hurt  oj  themfelvesy  and  in  a  manner   defroying 

all  reafonable  Claim  to  Chrift :  For  how  can  our 

LiOve    to,  and  Faith  in  him  be  true  and  fovind, 

when  our  Pradice  is  fo  remote  unto  the  Pradice 

and  Example  of  Chrift  and  his  Apoltles,  which 

they  gave  and  endeavoured  to  inculcate  ?  Be  not 

conformed  to  this  IV or  Id  ^  but    be  ye  transformed 

by 


(  200  ) 

by  the  renewiyig  of  your  Mind^  that  ye  may  prov& 
ivhat  is  that  good  and  acceptable^  and  perfe£i 
Will  of  God^  Rom.  xii.  2.  JVhofe  adorning^  let 
it  not  be  that  outward  Adorning  of  plaiting  the 
Hair^  and  of  ^wearing  Gold^  or  of  putting  on  of 
Apparel :  But  Jet  it  be  the  hidden  Man  of  the 
Hearty  in  that  which  is  7iot  corruptible^  even 
the  Ornament  of  a  rneek  and  quiet  Spirit^  ivhich 
is  in  the  Sight  of  God  of  great  Price  :  For  after 
this  manner  in  the  old  Time^  the  holy  Women  alfo 
*who  triifled  in  God  adorned  themfehes^  being  in 
SubjeSlion  unto  their  onvn  Husbands^  i  Pet.  iii.  3, 
4,  5.  Alas  !  woe  is  me,  for  the  Hurt  of  the 
Daughter  of  Zion^  when  I  confider  with  Regret 
from  whence  fuch  are  fallen,  if  ever  I'eftored 
out  of  the  Fall. 

If  we  as  a  People  fhould  follow  fuch  Exam- 
ples as  I  have  touched  iipon,  certainly  we  fliall 
become  an  Hiffing  and  a  Bye-word  to  all  Na-; 
tions  round  about,  who  may  have  heard  of  us^ 
and  what  great  Things  the  Lord  of  Hofts  hath 
done  for  us  lince  we  became  a  People,  as  may 
and  has  been  feen  and  heard  in  Examples, 
Words  and  Writings  from  our  faithful  Friends 
and  Brethren  (the  chief  Promulgators  of  Truth 
and  Righteoufnefs)  in  their  unwearied  Labours, 
Faith  and  Sufferings  for  the  Caufe  and  Tefti- 
mony  of  Jefus  Chrift;  and  what  alfo  was  not 
lefs  remarkable,  by  their  exemplary  Lives  of 
Plainnefs,  Humility,  Sincerity,  and  Self-denial, 
with  Works  of  Charity. 

Now,  thou  that  readeft  this,  beware  that  thou 
doft   not   let  in  any  wrong  Mind,  and  in  that 

begin 


(  20I  ) 

begin  to  judge  me  inflead  of  judging  thyfelf; 
for  as  far  as  I  know,  I  have  but  done  my  Duty : 
See  firft,  that  thou  doft  thine  before  thou  begins 
to  judge  me.  Bear  this  Caution  from  thy 
Friend,  thou  that  God  hath  endued  with  his 
Spirit,  and  wait  till  this  holy  Spirit  of  Truth  is 
upon  thee  a  Spirit  of  Judgment ;  as  thou  abideft 
under  thefe  Qualifications,  thou  art  fit  to  fit  in 
Judgment,  and  judge  wrong  Things  in  thyfelf 
firft,  next  in  thy  Family,  and  then  in  the 
Church  of  Chrift;  and  be  unwearied  in  thy 
Labours  to  prcferve,  as  well  as  to  reflore,  what 
thou  art  capable  of  doing  in  the  Church  of 
Chrift,  from  all  wrong  Ways  and  Things ;  for 
if  Corruption  and  Slacknefs  come  in,  and  pre- 
vail over  the  Leader,  as  v;ell  as  over  thofe 
whom  God  hath  raifed  thee  up  to  be  a  Help 
unto,  then  will  the  Lord  deal  with  both  thee 
and  them  fome  other  Way ;  for  I  am  fatisfied 
the  Lord  will  turn  his  Hand  upon  his  People 
in  thefe  Days,  as  he  did  upon  Ifrael  formerly, 
faying,  by  his  Prophet,  He  ivould  purge  aivay 
her  Drofs^  and  take  away  all  her  Tin ;  not  only 
all  grofs  Evils,  but  alfo  that  which  in  Appear- 
ance may  be  like  Truth,  but  is  not  Truth: 
This  was,  and  will  be  the  Way  to  rejlvre  Judges 
^s  at  the  Firjl^  and  Counfellors  as  at  the  Begin-- 
ning :  Oh  I  then  pall  the  Gentiles  fee  thy  Righ- 
teoufnefs^  and  all  Kings  thy  Glory ^  faid  the  Pro- 
phet. 

Although  there  is  great  Occafion  for  an 
Amendment  in  many,  yet  there  is  a  bright  and 
heavenly-minded  Remnant  in  England^  Ireland^ 

and 


(      ioi      ) 

and  many  other  Parts  in  the  World,  againf^ 
whom  I  find  not  any  thing  to  prefs  upon  my 
Mind  to  complain  of;  but  a  Word  of  Encou- 
ragement fprings  in  the  Life,  in  the  Love  and 
good  Will  of  God,  to  prefs  and  perfuade  you 
to  a  fteady  Perfeverance  in  the  true  Faith,  and 
in  an  exemplary  and  pious  Life,  (I  never  faw 
more  need  of  this  than  now,  according  to  my 
View  of  the  State  of  Things)  that  when  the 
Lord  the  righteous  Judge,  who  will  brtJig  every 
Work  into  Judgment^  ivith  every  fecret  Things 
thefe,  as  before- mentioned,  may  be  found  clear 
of  the  Blood  of  all  Aien,  feeing  that  they  have 
warned  them,  and  given  Notice  when  they  have 
feen  any  Danger,  or  an  Enemy  approach  nigh 
to  them. 

Here  is  Work  for  fach  as  God  hath  fet  up  as 
Watchmen  over  his  People,  to  fee  that.thofe  do 
not  go  on  in  Bye- ways,  who  profefs  Truth, 
and  leave  the  Way  of  Truth  unoccupied  by 
them  ;  here  is  Work  for  the  t^rue  Judges,  who 
have  the  Spirit  of  Judgment  upon  them :  And 
notv/ithftanding  fome,  here  and  there,  who  may 
be  found  in  the  faithful  Difcharge  of  that  Truft 
the  Lord  hath  rcpoled  iii  them,  may  meet  with 
fome  Oppofition  from  fach  as  are  unfaithfuly 
and  not  V/illing  to  be  bounded  and  girded  by 
the  Truth,  no  not  ib  much  as  to  an  oativard 
Confornnty  to  the  Plalnnefs  and  Decency,  fo . 
much  and  frequently  recommended  by  the ' 
Writings,  by  public  Teflimonies,  and  alfo  in 
our  Meetings  for  Difcipline;  for  it  is  a  con- 
siderable Branch  of  our  Meetings  far  Difcipline, 

to 


(       ^03       ) 

to  infpe<5l  into,  and  take  care  to  fee  that  Friends 
walk  orderly  as  becomes  our  holy  Profeffion  5 
and  where  wrong  Steps  are  made,  and  wrong 
Ways  are  gone  into,  and  Liberty  taken  by  any 
who  do  profefs  Truth  with  us,  that  fuch  may 
be  dealt  with,  and  the  Evil,  as  alfo  the  bad 
Confequence  thereof,  laid  before  them,  and  they 
be  laboured  with,  and  not  left ;  for  although  it 
may  be  but  a  fmall  Appearance  or  Beginning  of 
a  Leprofy,  which  is  naturally  apt  to  fpread, 
unlefs  proper  Applications,  and  in  due  Time 
too,  be  made  in  the  Wifdom  and  Love  of  God  j 
yet  if  atiiy  there  be  who  prefer  their  own  Wills, 
and  fo  far  love  that  Life  they  have  in  thofe 
Things,  that  are  not  only  evil  in  themfelves, 
but  alfo  of  evil  Confequence  by  their  bad  Ex^ 
ample,  more  than  they  love  Truth  and  the 
Unity  of  the  Brethren,  filch  had  better  for 
Truth's  fake,  and  for  the  Reputation  of  the 
Teftimony  thereof,  be  dealt  with,  for  Eafe  of 
the  Minds  of  the  Faithful,  who  fuffer  under  the 
Senfe  they  frequently  labour  of  a  Cloud  of 
Darknefs  and  Oppreffion,  wrong  Ways  and 
wrong  Things. 

It  may  not  be  amifs  to  give  a  Hint  here,  at 
what  Door  many  have  gone  out  into  divers 
Evils  ;  firji^  by  being  brought  by  Cuftom  to  be 
in  love  with  Strong- drink^  and  keeping  iGo/e 
Company  ;  for  even  fuch  have  been  fo  far  a 
Means  to  corrupt,  and  in  time  to  draw  away 
the  Mind  from  that  Simplicity  and  Purity  the 
Lord's  People  ought  to  live  in,  until  a  Cloud 
has  come  over  the  Underftanding,  and  the  Senfe 

D  d  of 


(       ^04      ) 

of  the  Virtue  and  heavenly  Savour  of  the  pre- 
cious Truth  is  lofl ;  and  then  the  old  Inhabit- 
ants of  the  Land  (comparitively  fpeaking)  croud 
in  again,  as  Pride,  Paflion,  Luft,  Envy,  loofe 
Converfation,  open  Drunkennefs ;  nay  fome 
worfe  Spirits  than  ever  had  pofTefTed  them  before, 
have  now  entered  their  Minds  with  the  former, 
that  were  once  meafureably  overcome  and  call 
cut ;  it  is  therefore  certain,  that  the  End  of 
thefe  will  be  miferable,  except  the  Lord  grants 
them  a  Place  of  Repentance  while  here. 

Now  my  tender  and  well  beloved  Friends, 
watch  againft  and  ftrive  to  keep  out  the  Enemy 
that  he  enter  not  ;  for  wha^  way  foever  he  enters 
and  gets  Footing,  he  defiles  God's  Temple  j 
and  before  thou  witnefies  ti:^  Lord  to  deflroy 
him  and  caft  him  out  again,  thou  mud  have 
many  a  fore  Combat,  and  ibme  Warfare  (per-  1j 
haps  more  that  thou  art  aware  of)  before  thou 
gainefl  all  the  Ground  thou  haft  loft,  by  giving 
way  to  the  Adverfary  of  thy  Soul ;  therefore 
keep  upon  thy  Watch-Tovuer^  watch  unto  the 
End^  ivatcb  and  pray  CQUtinii ally ^  that  ye  enter 
not  into  Temptation^  faid  our  great  Lord  tm to 
his  Followers  :  For  I  have  found  by  Experience, 
that  it  is  harder  to  gain  what  we  have  loft,  than 
to  keep  it  while  we  had  it;  and  to  improve 
our  Talents,  is  not  only  the  way  to  have  them 
continued,  but  alfo  to  have  them  more  abun- 
dantly added  unto  us ;  but  fuch  as  do  not  im- 
prove what  is  given  unto  them,  even  that  which 
they  have  been  intrufted  with  fliall  be  taken  i 
from  them:   Oh!  how  defolate  and  miferable 

fuch 


(       ^o5       ) 

iiich  vvill  be  ia  the  Day  of  Aecoimt,  when. 
Chrift,  Hke  a  great  Shepherd,  divides  the  Sheep 
from  the  Goats,  and  between  the  Slothful  and 
the  Faithful  Servants,  between  the  wife  and 
the  foolipj  Virgins,  and  between  all  thofe  who. 
adhered  to,  obeyed,  and  followed  hlna  accord- 
ing to  the  Meafure  of  Light  and  Knowledge 
received,  and  thofe  who  have  rejected  and  dif- 
obeyed  the  Strivings  and  ConviAions  of  God's 
holy  Ligiit,  and  bleifed  Spirit,  placed  in  the 
Hearts  of  the  Children  of  Men  to  enlighten, 
initrucft,  reprove,  comfort,  and  guide,  accord- 
ing to  the  State  of  every  individual  Mind,  as  it 
is  conformable  or  difobedient  to  inward  Con- 
vidlions.  So  is  this  holy  Gift  a  Witnefs  for,  or 
againtl,  to  accufe,  or  excufe  in  tlxy  Confcience, 
according  as  thy  g6od  or  evil  Doings  are  aud 
do  prevail  in  thy  Heart  and  Soul.  But  this  is 
fonicwhat  a  Digfeffion  from  the  hiftorical  Part 
of  my  Travels ;  for  as  I  have  mentioned  before 
my  going  into  Ireland,  I  Ihall  now  fay  fome- 
thing  more  particularly  thereof. 

We  journeyed  from  Dublin  towards  Cork,  and, 
had Teveral  Meetings  in  our  Way,  as  at  Balli" 
cane,  Culladine,  Wexford,  Lambjloivn,  Waiter- 
ford,  Clomnel,  Cafhel,  Toughall,  Cork,  and  (laid 
their  Province  Meeting  for  Miinfler,  which  was 
a  good  and  large  Meeting.  I  was  much  out  of 
Order  here,  by  reafon  of  a  Fever  and  Ague 
which  held  me  feveral  Days,  and  I  was  muck 
obliged  to  my  Friends,  John  Dobbs,  Jofeph 
Hoare  and  his  Family,  for  the  great  Care  they 
took  of  me   in  this  my  weak  State;  I  was   not 

without 


(  206         ) 

without  fomc  Reafonings  for  a  Time,  as  to 
my  being  out  of  my  native  Country,  but  the 
Lord  who  is  mighty  in  Power,  helped  me  and 
raifed  me  again,  and  gave  me  Abihty  to  dif- 
charge  myfelf  of  that  Service  I  was  called  to, 
honoured  for  ever  be  the  great  Name  of  the 
Lord  for  this  and  all  his  Mercies. 

Next  we  came  to  Charkville^  Limerick^  Rofs^ 
and  from  thence  to  john  AJhtons^  Birr^  James 
Hutchinfons^  Montrathy  Moimtfneleck^  Henry 
Ridgivay'Sj  and  from  Balinakil  to  Mont  rath 
again,  and  was  at  their  Six- weeks  Meeting, 
which  was  a  heavenly  and  good  Meeting,  there 
being  a  living  Remnant  there  :  Then  we  came 
to  Kilconner^  Carloiju^  Ballitciiery  John  Stephen^ 
JonSy  T'unahoe^  Edenderry^  and  went  to  fee  my 
good  Friend  Thomas  Wilfon^  who  was  fore 
troubled  with  the  Gravel;  I  was  much  afHid);e<:l, 
and  truly  fympathized  with  him  in  my  Spirit, 
and  John  Bar  croft  ^  that  true  Man,  and  I  did 
what  we  could  for  our  afflidled  Brother,  and  fq 
left  him  and  his  Family  in  the  Love  of  God ;  and 
went  to  Liftnoiny^  the  Moat^  fVaterJiouun^  Bal- 
limurryy  Athkne^  and  had  another  Meeting  at 
the  Moat'j  Oldcajlky  Ballihays^  Coothill^  Cajllet 
JJjeaUy  Ballihagan^  Charlemount^  Dumclaudyy 
Cokahiy  James  MoorSy  the  ' Grange y  Antrimy 
Lisburiiy  Hillsborough^  and  was  at  their  Province 
Meeting,  which  was  held  at  Ballenderry^  and 
was  alfo  at  fome  Meetings  twice;  Monalletiy 
Tunneryy  Litrgntiy  Rafcr-IJlaiid^  Neuury^  and 
from  thence  to  Drogheday  and  fo  to  Duhluiy 
being  the  29th  of  the  Fifth  Month,   1722,  and 

(tayed 


(      ^^7      ) 

flayed  there  fome  Meetings  ;  and  a  living  Rem^ 
nant  there  is  in  that  City,  but  it  is  a  rich  Place  ; 
the  mighty  God  of  Heaven  and  Earth  keep  his 
People  low,  and  truly  humble  in  that  great  City 
and  every  where  elfe,  is  the  earned  Defire  of 
my  Soul  to  the  Lord ;  for  I  know  there  is  a 
Gonfiderable  Remant,  whofe  Labour  and  daily 
Travail  is  to  have  the  Church  kept  clean  from 
all  manner  of  Defilements  both  of  Flefn  and 
Spirit^  fo  that  ihe  may  be  prefented  unto  God 
the  Father  without  Spot  or  Wrinkle^  or  any 
fuch  Thing,  in  the  Day  when  flie  muft  appear 
before  the  great  Judge  of  all  the  Earth,  who 
will  do  Right  unto  every  one,  according  as 
their  Works  are  found  to  be  Good  or  Evil, 

Being  clear  of  JDuhlin  and  the  whole  Nation, 
I  took  fliipping  for  Whitehaven^  and  had  a 
fhort  PafTage  but  a  very  rough  one,  and  had 
fome  Meetings'  in  my  way  Home,  to  which 
I  got  on  the  21ft  of  the  Sixth  Month,  1722, 
and  found  my  Children  recovered  from  the 
Fever  and  Ague  in  which  I  left  them  when 
I  took  my  Journey,  which  Diflemper  had 
fo  far  prevailed  oyer  them,  that  they  were 
fometimes  fcarcely  fenfible ;  it  had  been  upon 
them  for  a  confiderable  Time,  and  it  proved 
a  Trial  to  me  to  leave  them  in  that  very  weak 
State,  but  one  Day  as  I  fought  the  Lord  in 
the  Fervency  of  my  Heart,  to  know  whether  I 
fhould  leave  thefe  my  two  poor  weak  Chil- 
dren or  not,  as  alfo  my  Houfe-keeper  much 
in  the  fame  Cafe  (who  were  all  my  con- 
ftant  Family)  it  fprang  in  my  Heart  livingly,  as 

though 


(       2o8       ) 

though  it  had  been  fpqke  with  a  Man's  Voice, 
Lea^e  them^  and  I  luill  take  care  of  them:  I 
laid,  Thou  the  Lord  hajl  never  failed  me^  I  will 
leave  them  to  thee^  do  what  feemeth  good  in  thy 
Eye  %vith  them.  I  looked  then  no  naore  behind 
itie,  neither  ^t  them  nor  any  thing  elfe  I  had 
left,  but  became  as  if  I  had  not  any  thing  in 
the  World.  For  thus  it  behovetli  all  the  Ser- 
vants of  Chrift  to  do,  even  the  Married  as  if 
they  were  not  married ;  and  thofe  that  buy  any 
Thing,  as  if  they  did  not  polTefs  it :  This  is  a 
Liberty  which  many  are  Strangers  unto,  it  is 
wrought  by  the  Finger  of  God,  it  is  the  Work  of 
God's  heavenly  Power  to  loofen  Man  thus  from 
the  Things  of  this  World,  and  at  the  fame 
Time  we  are  mod  bound  unto  Chrift,  yet  enjoy 
a  comfortable  and  heavenly  Freedom  in  our 
Spirits  in  Chrift,  by  our  Faith  and  Obedience 
unto  him,  in  and  through  all  Trials,  Provings 
and  Adverfities :  And  dear  Friends^  the  greater 
the  Crofs,  the  greater  is  the  Crown  and  Rewarcl 
which  all  thofe  poflefs,  who  do  all  Things  they 
do  with  a  fingle  Mind,  and  an  upright  Fleart 
unto  the  Lord  in  all  Things,  and  at  all  Times. 

Thus  the  Children  of  the  Bridegroom  are  or 
ought  to  be  efpoufed  or  married  to  Chrift,  and 
truly  devoted  to  him,  that  fo  they  may  ftand,  as. 
much  as  may  be,  difintangled  from  all  mutable 
Things,  and  cleave  to  and  follow  him  when 
and  wherefoever  he  calls  and  leads,  and  be  in 
Subjecflion  to  him,  as  a  virtuous  Wife  is  not  only 
bound,  but  willingly  is  fubjecft,  to  her  virtuous 
and  preferable  Huiband :  Thus  we  may  know 

and 


(         269        ) 

and  experience  Chrift  to  become  our  holy  Head ; 
and  that  we  may  hold  unto  him,  and  that  we 
may  fo  walk  and  live,  that  he  may  take  Delight 
in  his  Church,   (the  Body)  to  rule  in  and  over 
it,  as  vtre  have  the  State  of  the  true  Church  and 
Chrift  reprefented  in  the  moft  excellent  and  fa- 
cred  Writings  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.     Oh  !  that 
we  may  likewife  know  the  Marriage  of  'the  Lamb 
to  be  come,  and  that  as  of  old,  we  may  make 
ourfelves  ready ^  put  off  the  Sins  and  Corruptions 
of  the  World  that  are  thro'  Luft,  and  put  on  the 
Lord    Jefiis   Chrift^    and  his  pure  Right eottfnefs : 
This   is  x.\iQ  fine  Linen^  the  Right cou/nejs  of  the 
Saints ;  this   is    the  Wedding  Garment ;  without 
which  Preparations,  and  true  Bride's  Attire,  I 
cannot    fee  how  any  can  expedl  an  Admittance 
into    the    Bridegroonis   Chamber:    Therefore   I 
intreat  all   fuch    as  do  not  find  themfelves  in 
Preparation,  and   have  not  their  Peace  affured 
to  them,  and  want  the  Seal  or  Evidence  of  the 
Spirit   of  the   Lord   that   they  are  hisy   not   to 
flumber  away  their   precious  Time    imtil  the 
Midnight^  leaft   unexpectedly  the  Cry  be   lieard 
to  found  with  Terror  in   thy  Ears,  Ar:/e^  trim 
thy   Lamp,   for    behold   the  Bridegroom  cometh^ 
who  hath  in  Times   paft   exercifed  Mercy  and 
Loving-kindnefs  towards  thee,  and  has  fought 
divers    Ways  to  win  thee  to  love  him ;    he  has 
at  Times  reproved  thee  for  thy  evil  Ways,   and 
at  other   Times   he   hath   fet  before   thee   the 
Comforts  and  Happinefs  thou  ihouldfl  poffefs, 
if  thou    wouldft    obey   and  follow  him;   nay, 
h^  hath  wooed  thee  as  a  young  Man  doth   a 

Virgin^- 


(       liio      )  i 

Virgin,  and  if  thoii  hadfb  devoted  thyfelf  to 
him,  he  would  have  gathered  and  faved  thee, 
and  rejoiced  over  thee  as  a  Bridegroom  doth 
over  his  Bride.  But  if  thou  turned  thy  Back 
upon  all  his  Reproofs,  Intreaties,  and  Endear- 
ments (as  m  the  Parable  of  the  fve  fooUJh 
Virgins )  in  the  Time  when  he  (the  Bridegroom) 
calls  to  an  account,  he  will  not  know  thee 
otherwife  than  to  fhut  thee  out  of  his  Prefence 
and  Favour,  notwithftanding  whatever  thoti 
inayft  have  heard,  received  or  done,  if  thou 
continues  to  work  Wickednefs,  aiid  art  not  re- 
claimed therefrom. 

Thefe  Things  fprang  iii  my  Mind  as  a 
Warning  for  all,  to  flee  from  every  deftru(ftive 
Thing,  before  the  Lord  overtakes  them,  when 
they  cannot  efcape  his  Hand  of  Juftice;  and 
alfo,  that  the  Faithful  may  be  encouraged  iii 
well-doing,  and  to  a  faithful  Perfeverance  to  the 
End,  Amen, 

Some  Things  w^hich  have  been  omitted,  I 
think  proper  to  infert  here,  as  worthy  of  Obfer- 
vation.  As  I  was  travelling  towards  Lincoln^ 
and  paffing  through  Brig^  Friends  gave  me  No- 
tice that  there  were  two  great  Difputants,  a  Non- 
conformijl  Minifter,  and  a  Dodor  of  Phyfic^ 
who  were  like  to  go  all  or  moft  of  the  Way 
with  me,  as  the  Affizes  \vere  coming  on,  and 
Would  be  at  me  with  Arguments  about  Religion, 
which  I  foon  found  true;  for  we  were  no 
fooner  got  into  a  fuitable  Way  but  they  begati 
with  me,  which  I  endeavoured  to  prevent  by 
teUing  them,    I  did  not  leok  upon  myfelf  to  be 

qualified 


(      ^ii       ) 

•  '        '  '  '  ■  -       .     ' 

qualified  for  Difpiites ;  and  withal  I  obferved, 
that  fometimes  Difputants  ended  iri  a  wode 
tJnderftanding  one  of  another  than  when  they 
began,  except  they  minded  well  to  keep  good 
Government ;  and  now  as  we  appeared  free  and 
friendly,  how  We  might  be  when  we  had  ended 
our  Difpute,  was  a  Queftion,  therefore  I  had 
rather  they  would  forbear :  But  they  turned  the 
deaf  Ear  to  all  that  I  faid,  and  nothing  would 
do  with  them,  but  a  Difpiite  we  mufl  have. 
I  then  afked  them  what  they  would  fay  ?  They 
queried,  Whether  all  Men  'twere  placed  in  a  Station 
capable  of  Salvation^  yea  or  nay?  \  replied.  If 
I  fhould  give  my  pofitive  Thoughts  to  your 
Queftion,  we  fhall  have  Occafion  to  go  back  to 
treat  of  the  Nature,  not  only  of  the  upright 
State  Man  w'as  in  before  he  fell,  but  alfo  how 
he  fell  and  alfo  in  the  Fall,  how  he  ftands  as  in 
Relation  to  his  Reftoration,  vsrhich  brings  us  td 
the  Queftion.  Although  this  be  not  the  ufual 
Way  of  Difputants,  yet  if  you  will  fubmit  td 
it,  it  w^U  either  anfwer  your  Queftion^  or  fet 
it  in  a  clearer  Light  for  an  Anfwer.  They  afl^ed, 
Honv  could  that  he?  I  replied,  if  it  did  not,  they 
might  fay  fo.  They  then  fo  far  condefcended 
as  to  hear  me,  and  I  faid,  jirjl^  we  all  agree  in 
this,  that  Man  was  made  upright;  fecondly^ 
that  he  fell  from  that  Uprightnefs  ;  theQuedioii 
then  is,  How  ?  Anfiv,  By  ther  Offence  or  Difo- 
bedience  of  the  firft  Man  Adam  Sin  entered,  and 
Condemnation  came  upon  all  who  had  finned. 
I  then  queried  of  the  Difputants,  whether  they 
believed  that  Adams   Fail   did  affed  all  thofe 

E  e  who 


(  212  ) 

who  did  not  hear  of  it,  as  well  as  thofe  wh(^ 
did  ?  For,  I  faid,  there  were  fome  of  Opi- 
nion, that  thofe  who  had  not  the  explicit  or 
outward  Knowledge  of  the  promifed  Seed  of 
Coming  of  Chrift,  had  not  the  Benefit  of  his 
Coming ;  and  except  they  would  firft  allow, 
that  all  were  afPeded  or  hurt  by  Adajiis  Fall, 
then  fuch  as  were  not,  remained  in  Paradife  to 
this  Day,  except  they  would  make  the  Remedy 
lefs  than  the  Difeafe,  the  Plaifter  lefs  than  the 
Sore,  and  Chrifl's  Coming  lefs  extenfive  than 
Ada77is  Fall.  I  argued,  that  upon  the  foot  of 
Reafon,  as  well  as  what  we  had  in  plain  Scrip- 
ture, Chrifl's  Coming  was  as  extenfive  as  the 
Fall  of  Adam;  for,  bj  the  Obedience  of  Chrijl^  the 
Gift  of  God  came  upon  all  unto  Juflif  cation. 

Now  I  think,  faid  I,  your  Queftion  is  fet  in 
a  clear  Light  for  an  Anfwer,  or  elfe  anfwered ; 
fo  take  it  at  what  End  you  will  (laying  afide 
all  Quibbling)  I  intend  to  join  Ifllie  with 
you,  and  prove  that  all  Men  are  placed  in  a 
Station  capable  of  Salvation;  or  otherwife  you 
muft  leave  a  great  Part  of  the  World  in  Para- 
dife, or  make  the  Coming  of  Chrifl  lefs  exten- 
five than  the  Fall  of  Adam,  I  then  queried,  what 
they  faid  to  all  this  ?  They  anfwered,  theyne^er 
heard  the  like  before^  and  they  ivould  not  meddle 
*with  me^  I  ivas  too  great  a  Scholar  for  them,  I 
faid,  there  was  littleof  Schoiaifhipin  it;  I  offer- 
ed, I  thought,  nothing  but  plain  Scripture  and 
found  Realbn;  and  1  told  them,  1  had  now  as 
good  as  anfwered  their  Queftion,  and  had  given 
leveral  Reaibns  to  back  my  Anfwer,  and  as  they 

appeared 


appeared  wife,  v/ell  read  Men,  and  as  far  as  I 
jhad  gathered,  had  been  principled  againft  uni- 
verfal  Sahation^  and  iiniuerfal  Grace^  for  them 
now  to  drop  the  Matter  fo  ilenderly,  before  me 
who  appeared  but  hke  a  Child  to  them,  was 
very  furprizing :  But  they  replied,  they  would 
not  meddle  ivith  me, 

I  then  commended  them  for  their  good 
Temper,  and  the  Civility  they  fhewed  to  me, 
for  they  were  civil  to  me  beyond  what  I  could 
expe6l ;  and  they  invited  me  to  the  Burial  of 
one  of  their  deceafed  Friends,  but  I  could  not 
go,  for  I  was  iu  hafte  to  get  to  Lincoln^  having 
Ibme  Bufinefs  there  that  haflened  me.  Now  at 
parting  with  them,  my  Soul  magnified  the 
Lord,  under  a  Senfe  of  his  Goodnefs  to  me,  in 
that  he  had  opened  my  Way,  and  helped  me 
through  this  Difficulty,  with  many  other  Trials 
and  Affliclions  I  had  met  with. 

I  had  at  another  Time  fome  Reafonings  with 
a  Pap'ijl  who  was  my  Neighbour,  about  the 
Vifihility  of  their  Church,  and  TranfuhJlaU'^. 
tiation^  with  feveral  other  Thirigs.  As  to  the 
firji^  I  fhewed  him,  that  the  true  Church  jled 
into  the  Wildernefs^  ivhere  Jlje  was  for  Times ^ 
Time^  and  half  a  Time\  in  this  State  we  do  not 
read  fhe  had  any  outward  Character  as  a  vifible 
Church  ;  and  that  if  they  derived  their  Delcent, 
it  was  from  fome  falfe  Church,  and  not  through 
the  true  one.  And  as  to  the  other,  they  took 
^oo  much  upon  them,  more  than  they  could 
juftify  from  Scripture,  or  clearly  demonftrate 
from   Chrift  or  his   Apoftles ;  for  Chrift  never 

gave 


(       214'     ) 

gave  any  of  them  fuch  a  Commiffion,  a&  to 
convert  Bread  and  Wine  into  real  FleJJj  and 
Bloody  and  then  to  call  it  Chr'ift,  You,  faid  I, 
by  theie  Notions,  deceive  yourfelves  and  your 
Adherents ;  for  Chrill  fpoke  unto  fuch  as  you 
by  Parables,  becaufe  they  were  carnal,  and  did 
not  underftand  the  Meaning  of  his  Sayings  in 
this  Cafe,  no  more  than  the  je^ivs  underftood 
what  Chrift  meant,  when  he  fpoke  of  deftroy- 
ing  this  Temple  (meaning  his  Body)  which 
thdy  underftood  was  of  that  Temple  at  Jerufa- 
lem^  which  th^y  made  a  great  Wonder  at,  and 
faid,  Hoiv  can  this  he  that  he  can  dejlroy  this 
Temple^  and  raife  it  up  again  in  three  Days^ 
'when  it  %vas  Forty  eight  Years  in  building  F 
Thus  they  reafoned  carnally,  as  Nicodemiis 
(though  a  Ruler  of  the  Jews)  did  concerning 
Regeneration  or  the  new  Birth  \  and  as  the 
Woman  of  Scmiaria  did,  from  whence  Chrift 
Ihould  have  that  living  Water,  which  he 
fpoke  of,  that  Jhfjuld  be  in  Man  as  a  Well 
of  living  Water ^  Jpringing  up  unto  everlajl- 
ing  Life;  and  as  the  Jews  did,  when  Chrift 
faid.  Except  ye  eat  the  Flejlo  of  the  Son  of  Man^ 
and  drink  his  Bloody  ye  have  no  Life  in  you  \ 
they  faid.  How  can  this  be^  that  he  can  give  us 
his  Flefh  to  eat^  and  his  Blood  to  drink  ?  But  this  is 
a  fpiritual  Eating  and  Drinking  ;  even  as  Chrift 
faid.  Out  of  the  Belly  of  him  that  believes^  floall 
flow  Rivers  of  living  Waters ;  ivhich  he  fpake  of 
the  Spirit:  In  like  manner  it  is  faid  in  the 
Revelation^  Behold  I  ft  and  at  the  Door  and  knocky 
if  any  Man  hear  my  Voice,  and  open  unto  me^  I 

will 


(       215       ) 

^joillcome  in,  and  fup  ijuith  hm^  and  he  with  me. 
Here  is  an  Union  of  Spirits  between  Chrift  and 
his  faithful  Children,  and  here  is  an  inward 
Eating  and  Drinking  of  the  heavenly,  fpiritual 
and  myftical  Flelh  and  Blood  of  Chrift,  whic^t 
carnal  Men  cannot  eat  of,  neither  can  the  car- 
nal Eye  difcern  Chrift' s  fpiritual  Body,  which 
he  feeds  his  living  and  fpiritual  Church  withal. 
When  I  had  reafoned  with  the  Man  to  this 
EfFed,  he  went  away  feemingly  not  plcafed, 
but  would  not  from  that  Time  ever  meddle  with 
me  any  more. 

I  need  not  fay  much  here  about  Chrijfs. 
l>eing  come  ;  having  fhewed,  in  a  Conference  in  ' 
Neiv- England^  how  he  is  come  to  anfwer  hisf 
Eating  and  Drinking  the  PafTover  and  laft  Sup- 
per with  his  Difciples,  faying,  He  *would  drink 
no  more  of  the  Fruit  of  the  Vine^  until  he  drank 
it  new  ivith  them  in  his  Father  s  Kingdom,  Now 
he  that  hath  experienced  what  this  Eating  and 
Drinking  is,  is  come  beyond  the  outward  Eating 
and  Drinking,  into  the  Kingdojn  which  is  within^ 
which  comes  not  with  outward  Obfervations, 
Eatings,  Drinkings,  nor  carnal  Ordinances, 
but  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  confifts  in  Righ- 
teoufne/sy  Peace  and  Joy  in  the  Holy  Ghofl. 

Now,  read  this  thou  that  canft,  and  learn 
to  underftand  between  the  Thing  that  points, 
and  the  Thing  which  is  pointed  at,  and  between 
the  Thing  fignifying,  and  the  Thing  fignified, 
and  miftake  not  the  Shadow  for  the  Subftance 
any  longer ;  for  it  is  polTible  a  Man  may  do 
all  the  outward  Parts,  and  yet    be   ignorant  of 

the 


(         2l6         ) 

the  Crofs  of  Chrift,  and  of  the  heavenly  Sub^ 
fiance  :  But  if  he  is  come  to  the  End  of  thefe 
outfide  Things,  to  the  Holy  of  HoHes,  fuch 
will  know  what  it  is  to  minifter  before  the 
Lord  in  his  Temple,  and  to  ferve  and  wait  at 
the  holy  Altar,  and  live,  and  have  that  pure 
fpiritual  Life  preferved  :  For  we  read  not  of  any 
7z//7^j-that  appertain  to  this  fpiritual  Priefthood, 
or  Gofpel  Miniftry ;  and  what  their  outward 
Maintenance  was  to  be,  is  fliewed  by  Chrift, 
beyond  Contradiction,  who  fent  them  forth. 
Where  they  were  received  (mark  that  well) 
they  might  eat  fuch  Things  as  uoere  Jet  before  thcniy 
but  were  not  to  take  any  Thing  from  them  by 
Force,  for  that  is  out  of  the  Doctrine  and 
Pracflice  of  Chrift  and  his  Apoftles. 

Why  do  People  call  the  Scripture  their  Ruh 
of  Faith  and  Manners^  when  at  the  fame  Time 
4:hey  believe  and  acl  contrary  thereto  ?  for  wdien 
I  had  fome  Years  beforc  a  Debate  with  the 
Prieft  of  our  Parifli,  we  meeting  at  Sponton^  I 
being  there  upon  fome  Occafion,  and  feveral 
People  met  together,  the  Prieft  demanded  my 
Reafons,  ivhy  I  did  not  pay  him  his  Tithe?  I 
nfed  fome  perfuafive  Arguments  to  put  him 
off,  not  being  willing  at  that  Time  to  enter 
into  any  Debate  with  him ;  but  the  more  I 
fhewed  my  Unwillingnefs  toit,  the  more  urgent 
he  was  upon  me :  So  when  I  could  not  fee 
how  to  avoid  entering  into  fome  clofe  Debate 
w^ith  him,  I  defired  he  w^ould  not  be  angry, 
and  he  f lid  he  ivoidd  7iot ;  I  then  fliewed  in 
feveral  Particulars,  why  1  could  not  pay  him  any 

Tithe^ 


(      ^-'7      ) 

Tithe^  becaufe  I  believed,  if  he  was  a  Minifter 
of  Jefus  Chrift,  he  ought  not  to  claim  any ;  for, 
as  there  was  a  Change  of  the  Priejlhood^  there 
alfo  iTLuft  be  of  Neceffity  a  Chafige  of  the  Laiv^ 
^s  we  fee  in  Heb,  vii.  12.  and  to  pretend  to 
draw  any  Command  or  Example  from  Chrift 
or  his  Apoftles,  out  of  the  New  Teftament, 
for  that  Purpofe,  appears  to  me  weak  and 
inconliftent^ 

We  had  fome  farther  Difcourfe  upon  th^ 
Ground  af  his  Right  and  Title  to  Tithes,  whe- 
ther Jure  di'vino^  as  they  ufed  to  be  formerly 
claimed,  or  Jure  humano\  that  is,  by  human 
Laws,  as  moft  of  the  modern  Priefls  feem  to 
chufe  to  fix  their  Title;  I  bid  him  fix  his 
Right  for  Tithes  on  which  Claim  he  pleafed, 
and  I  would  endeavour  to  anfwer  him  as  well 
as  I  could,  but  hefeemed  not  to  fix  upon  cither ; 
whereupon  I  told  him,  That  there  ivas  no  fcr'ip^ 
tural  Settlement  of  Tithes  upon  Cofpel  Mhii/lerSy 
and  alfo  offered  to  prove,  that  he  was  neither 
in  the  Practice  of  the  LeviteSy  to  whom  Tithes 
were  diredied  to  be  paid,  nor  yet  in  .  the  Prac- 
tice of  thofe  Minifters  whom  Chrift  qualified, 
ordained  and  fent  forth:  Firjl^  not  in  the 
Pradice  of  the  Le^uites ;  becaufe  the  Tithes  due 
to  them,  were  for  their  Service  and  pundual 
Performance  of  their  Part  of  the  ceremonial 
Law,  Numb,  xviii.  21.  which  if  any  now  claim-, 
ed,  it  feemed  to  me,  that  he  fubjedled  himfelf 
to  the  Practice  of  bmmt  Offerings  and  Sacrifices^ 
Circumcifton^^  Jewifh  Habits,  JVaJhings,  &c. 
(befides  which,  the  Law  which  appointed    the 

Tithe 


(  2l8  ) 

Tithe  to  the  Le^vites^  exprefly  forbids  them  td 
have  any  Share  or  Inheritance  in  the  Land,  as 
appears  from  Nimib,  xviii.  20,  23,  24,  and 
Deut.-KNin,  I,  2.)  which  the  modern  Clahiiers  of 
Tithe  would  be  loth  to  be  compelled  to  the 
Pracflice  of;  not  to  infift  on  the  Law  of  the 
third  Tear's  Tithe ^  of  which  the  Widow,  the 
Fatherlefs  and  the  Stranger  within  their  Gatesj 
tvrcre  to  receive  a  confiderable  Part  as  their 
;motted  Portion,  Deut,  xiv.  28,  29.  Secondly ;^ 
not  in  the  Practice  of  thofe  Miniflers  Chrift 
quaHfied  and  fent  forth ;  for  thefe  went  out  by 
an  efpecial  Command  from  him,  without  Gold, 
Silver  of  Bfafs  in  their  Purfes,  without  two 
Coats  ;  and  fo  intent  were  they  to  be  in  the 
Execution  of  their  great  Duty  of  pf caching  the 
Gofpel,  that  they  were  to  falute  no  Man  by 
the  way,  but  to  go  forward  on  the  great  Errand 
they  had  received  in  Comniiiffion :  And  when 
they  returned  to  their  Lord  he  a£ked  them.  If 
they  lacked  any  Thing  ?  And  they  faid,  Nothing ; 
yet  not  becaufe  they  had  forced  a  Maintenance 
from  any,  but  that  the  Effedl  of  their  Miniflry 
among  their  Hearers  had  been  io  prevalent,  that 
thofe  who  had  been  convinced  by  their  Doctrine,- 
and  turned  to  the  effedlual  Power  of  Chrift 
in  themfclves,  had  from  thence  known  their 
Hearts  fo  opened,  as  to  adminifter  to  all  their 
immediate  Neceffities ;  and  thefe,  thus  fent, 
had  only  eat  Jiich  Things  as  were  fet  before  them^ 
as  they  were  appointed;  and  where  they  Z?^^ 
Jq%v7i  Spirituals^  had  only  reaped  of  the  Tem- 
porals  of  their  Converts  for  their   immediate 

Subfiftance  r 


r 


(         ^59         ) 

Sabfiflance :  But  though  thou  fowefl  not  to  trie 
of  thy  Spirituals y  nor  do  I  believe  thee  to  be  one 
v/ho  hafl  ariy  thing  fpiritual,  which  can  be  of 
a:ny  Benefit  to  my  fpiritual  Part ;  and  though 
thou  efteemeft  nie  as  an  Heathen  Man  and  a 
Publican^  and  I  am  excommunicated  and  cut 
off  from  any  Church-fellowlliip  with  thee,  (not 
for  any  Evil,  but  as  far  as  I  can  underftand,  for 
not  coming  to  what  thou  calleft  the  Church) 
yet  thou  expedleft  to  reap  of  my  Temporals, 
becaufe  the  Law'  of  the  Land  has  given  thee 
that  Power;  which  Dlfpofition  to  reap  ivhere 
thou  hajl  not  fovun^  and  to  gather  ivhere  thou  baft 
liot  fir  own  ^  is  far  from  manifefting  a  Chrifiian 
Spirit. 

The  Prieft  farther  urged  fome  PafTages  out  of 
the  New  T-eftament,  in  Vindication  of  the  Pay- 
ment of  Tithes,  alluding  to  thatof  theApoftle, 
r  Cor,  ix,  7.  about  /owing  of  Jpiritual  Things 
2cnto  us ;  that  it  was  but,  a  fmall  Thing  if  fuch 
received  of  our  carnal  Thifigs  ;  and  that  of  feed- 
ing a  Flock^  and  partaking  of  the  Milk  of  the 
Flock  ;  and  of  planting  a  Vineyard^  and  eating 
the  Fruit  thereof:  All  \^^hich  I  endeavoured  to 
obyiate,  by  fhewing,  that  he  did  not  fow  his 
Spirituals  to  us,  fo  as  that  he  might  be  intituled 
to  our  carnal  Things ;  neither  were  we  pf  that 
Flock  which  he  fhouki  partake  of  the  Milk  of; 
neither  were  a  Vineyard  which  he  had  planted, 
that  he  might  eat  of  the  Fruit  thereof.  Fur- 
thermore I  faid,  ?,s  I  am  a  Stranger,  and  an  ex- 
Communicated  Perfon,  and  not  of  thy  Children, 
die   Apoftles,  if  they   wanted  or   were  in  any 

F  f  Straits 


(  2-20.         ) 

Straits  forNeceflaries,  did  not  apply  to  Strangers 
for  Help,  biittofuch  of  their  Children  as  they  had 
been  inflrumental  in  the  Hand  of  God  to  plant 
the  true  Faith,  and  few  the  Seed  of  the  King- 
dom in  :  Now  thefe  who  are  thus  convinced, 
and  by  the  Work  of  God's  Power  converted, 
thefe  wert  f?^lii  who  knew  fpiritual  Things 
fown  in  them,  who  I  believed  were  very  free 
to  diftribute  (where  true  Need  was)  of  their 
temporal  Things,  efpecially  to  fuch  who  had 
been  inflrumental  in  the  Lord's  Hand  to  their 
coming  to  the  faving  Knowledge  of  Jefus  Chrift. 
But  1  fliewed  the  Pried,  that  all  this  carried 
no  Analogy  to  what  was  between  him  and 
me,  for  I,  being  excommunicated,  was  but 
to  him  as  mi  heathen  Man  and  a  Publican^  and 
as  we  never  came  to  hear  him,  we  could  not 
owe  him  any  Acknowledgement,  nor  could  he 
expecft  any  Thing  as  a  freewill-offering  on  that 
Account. 

This  Prieft  Wykes  (for  that  was  his  Name) 
was  a  ftrong  fpirited  Man,  of  confiderable  Parts 
and  Learning ;  and  a  neighbouring  Juftice  of  the 
Peace  told  me,  he  was  fearful  would  be  very 
fevere  with  me ;  yet  to  his  Commendation  be 
it  fpoken,  he  was  ever  after  this  Conference 
very  loving,  and  never  gave  me  any  Trouble  for 
thofe  he  called  his  Dues. 

I  may  add  one  Obfervation  or  two  not  men- 
tioned in  our  Debate,  which  were,  that  if  the 
Maintenance  of  the  Priefs  ivas  to  be  ivholly 
ivithdraivn^  or  Icjt  to  the  Freedom  and  Gene r oft ty 
of  the  People y    many  of  them  ivould  ivant  and 

come 


(     221     ) 

come  to  Poverty^  and  he  forced  to  labour  ivith 
their  Hands^  nvhich  ivould  dtflraEl  or  at  leaji 
impede  their  Studies,  I  anfwered,  that  with  fuch 
Minifters  as  they  were,  this  anight  be  the  Cafe: 
But  if  all  \vonld  come  truly  and  rightly  to  wait 
on  the  great  Teacher,  the  Anointing  in  them- 
felves,  it  would  greatly  tend  to  the  Advantage 
of  Chriftendom ;  for  the  Almighty,  who  by  his 
good  Spirit  is  alone  able  to  raifc  up  and  qualify 
Gofpel- Minifters,  as  he  knows  the  Wants  of 
his  People,  and  their  Faith  and  Truft  in  him, 
would  no  doubt  raife  up  from  among  them 
faithful  Minifters ;  fuch,  who  being  humble, 
meek  and  low  in  Heart,  like  him  of  whom 
they  had  learned,  would  be  content  to  live  in 
Moderation  on  a  little,  and  to  labour  in  their 
refpedive  Callings,  like  the  Apoftle  Paiil^  that 
great  Minifter  of  the  Gentiles^  working  with 
their  Hands  that  their  Miniftry  might  not  be 
chargeable,  fuch  as  Fijhermen^  ColleSiors  of  CuJ- 
toms^  &c.  whofe  Miniftry  being  not  their  own, 
but  received  immediately  from  the  great  Shep- 
herd of  the  Sheep,  would  not  require  much 
Time  and  Study  to  pen  down,  but  coming  from 
the  Spirit  of  Truth  immediately  moving  upon 
the  Minifter's  Heart,  would  be  more  effedlual 
to  reach  the  Witnefs  of  Truth  in  the  Hearts  of 
their  Hearers  than  all  the  laboured  Difcourfes 
of  the  moft  fubtil  Prieft,  though  the  Produce  of 
much  Pains  and  Study.  Neither  have  I  found 
in  all  my  Travels  from  any  Obfervation  I  have 
made,  that  ever  the  faithful  Minifters  of  Chrift 
became  any   great  Burden  or   Charge    to  the 

Churches : 


(  222  ) 

Churches ;  for  I  have  feen  the  Divine  Providence 
attend  the  Lord's  faithful  Servants,  who  thereby 
have  been  enabled  to  ord^r  their  Affairs  with 
Difcretion,    fo  as  to  want  little. 


An  ACCOUNT  of  my  fecond  Vifit 

/O    F  R  I  E   N  D  S     in     A  M   E   R.I   C  A. 

I  Having  had  Drawings  in  my  Mind,  forfome 
coniiderable  Time,  once  more  to  vifit  Friends 
in  feveral  Parts  of  America^  and  inafmuch  as  I 
believed  it  was  my  Duty,  and  what  the  Lord  re- 
quireci  of  me  to  give  up  to,  I  was  refigned,  after 
fbme  Reafonings  about  my  Age,  and  Declenfion 
as  to  Ability  of  outward  Strength,  concerning 
which   I   met   with  fome  inward  Conflidls  and 
Combatings  which  broiight  me  very  low  for  a 
Time ;  but  the  Lord  helped  me  thro'  thefe  Diffi- 
culties, and  caufed  his  Ti-uth  to  fpring  comfort- 
ably in  my  Heart,  and  his  heavenly  Prefence'I 
witneffed  at  Times  to  refrefh  my  Soul  in  thefc 
Exercifes  unknown    to  many ;    and  the  Time 
being  come  for  my  preparing  for  the   Journey, 
on  the  15th  of  the  Third   Month  1731,  I  fet 
forvv^ard  from  Hutton  in  the  Hole  to  Scarborough^ 
Tv^here  I  took  fliipping  with    George  Bridget   for 
London^  and  came  thither  the  firft  Day  of  the 
Yearly-meeting,    with  which   I  was  very   well 
fatisfied,  and  an  the  25th  Day  of  the  Fourth 
Month  went  on   board  of  a  VefTel  bound^/or 

Philadelphia 


(       223       ) 

Philadelphia  in  J?nenca^  John  Wilcox  Mafter, 
|vho  was  very  civil  and  kind  to  me. 

On  the  27th  of  the  faid  Month  v^e  fet  fail, 
and  had  a  good  Paflage  in  the  main,  excepting 
that  we  had  one  very  gre^t  Storm,  in  which  we 
were  in  Danger  of  being  loft ;  our  Bolt-fprit 
was  broke,  and  the  Mafts  were  in  Danger  of 
coming  down,  yet  we  were  preferved,  and  in 
about  eleven  Wseks,  being  the  12th  of  the 
Seventh  Month,  I  landed  near  Philadelphia^  to 
the  great  Satisfaction  of  Friends  as  well  as  my 
felf,  renowned  be  the  great  Name  o-f  the  Lord 
for  ever. 

I  have  many  Times  confidered,  that  although 
it  was  my  Place  to  leave  my  very  near  and  dear 
Friends,  Children  and  Relations,  who  in  a  ten- 
der Frame  of  Spirit  were  much  concerned  for 
me,  and  I  for  them,  yet  I  met  with  many  ten- 
jder-hearted  Friends  in  my  Travels,  who  were 
A^ery  near  me  in  the  ever  bleffed  Truth ;  which 
fails  not  thofe  who  truft  in  the  Lord,  and  are 
faithful,  according  to  the  Ability  and  Under- 
ftanding  which  the  Lord  hath  given  to  the 
Children  of  Men,  and  are  devoted  to  anfwer 
the  Leadings  and  Guidance  of  his  Holy  Spirit, 
and  willing  to  bear  the  Crofs,  Burthen,  or  Yoke, 
which  he  fees  good  to  lay  upon  his  Servants  and 
Handmaids :  And  I  intreat  all  fuch  who  are 
called  unto  the  Lord's  great  Work,  to  give  up 
cheerfully  and  not  grudgingly,  and  not  to  look 
back  at  what  is  behind,  fo  as  to  haften  or  hinder 
themfelves  in  that  Work  they  are  called  to,  left 
they  fall  ihort  of  that  Penny ^  or  Crozvn^  which 

the 


(  224         ) 

the  Faithful  will  receive  in  the  End  of  all  their 
Labour. 

The  Yearly-meeting  at  Philadelphia  was  nigh 
when  we  landed,  which  was  large,  and  a  good 
Meeting,  many  Friends  from  feveral  Parts  being 
at  it.  Here  1  met  with  Henry  Frankland,  and 
we  were  truly  glad  to  fee  each  other,  and 
went  in  Company  together  fouthward  towards 
Maryland^  Virginia^  and  North-Carolina^  and 
returned  to  Pennfyhania ;  and  in  a  fhort  time 
after  we  parted :  He  came  far  England^  and  I 
travelled  for  Neiv-England  through  the  Jerfeys^ 
Long-IJland^  Rhode- IJland  and  Nantucket^  having 
Richard  Wain  of  Pennfyl'vania  for  my  Com- 
panion, an  innocent  good  Man;  we  pafTed 
through  all,  or  moft  part  of  me  aforefaid  Pro- 
vinces and  Iflands,  and  had  very  large  Meetings, 
and  great  Attention  there  was  in  many  to  hear 
the  Teftimony  of  Truth,  and  an  open  Door 
both  of  Utterance,  and  in  many  Places  of  En- 
trance, for  what  was  delivered;  yet  not  without 
Oppolition  in  fome  Places. 

I  had  fotne  Difcourfe  with  a  Baptiji^  a  Juftice 
of  Peace,  in  one  of  the  Jerjeys^  (a  Man  whom 
I  truly  loved)  and  he  told  me  that  fome  of  his 
Children  went  to  our  Meetings,  and  he  did  not 
hinder  them ;  he  appeared  a  tender  fpirited 
Man,  and  was  of  good  Repute  in  thefe  Parts 
where  he  lived,  and  very  feFvlceable  in  his 
Pod :  What  we  had  mofl  in  debate,  was  touch- 
ing Water- Bap tif?n  ;  I  endeavoured  to  fliew  him 
the  Ufe  and  End  of  all  the  Jhadowy  Things^  all 
which    were  ended  in  Chrift  the  Suhftance^  or 

Antitype ; 


(         225  ) 

Antitype  ;  and  that  fuch  outward  Materials  or 
Elements  appertained  not  unto  his  Kingdom,  or 
inward  and  fpiritual  Adminiftration ;  nor  could 
they  take  away  the  RoQt  or  Caufe  of  Sin,  which 
is  only  effedled  by  the  Holy  Ghoft  and  Fire,  or 
the  Holy  Ghofl  that  worketh  as  doth  Fire,  ta 
the  cleanfing  and  purifying  the  Hearts  of  the 
Children  of  Men,  as  is  the  Nature  of  material 
Fire  to  cleanfe  what  it  is  properly  applied  unto. 

I    met    with  the    fame   Jufti.ce  afterwards  at 
Burlington   in  Wefl-Jtrfey^  he  was    glad  to   fee 
me,  and  fo  was  I  to  fee  him,  for  he  was  very 
loving  and    friendly.      I   likewife    met   with   a 
Man   who   was  ^  School-mafter    upon    Long- 
Ifland^      that    a^j^rired    fomewhat    offended    at 
fomething  I   had   faid  in   a  Meeting  where  he 
had   been,    and  he  followed  me  to  a   Friend's 
Houfe,  and  appeared  fo  full   of  Scriptures   in 
Vindication  (as  he  thought)  of  Water'BaptiJm^ 
that   what  with  his  reading  many    Paffages   in 
the  Scriptures,  and  paraphrafing  upon  them,  he 
w^ould  not  hear  me  for  fome  Time ;  but  when 
he  was  quiet  I  faid  to  him,  Thou  hajl  not  treated 
me  like  a  fair  Difpiitant^  to  run  07i  Jo  long^    and 
not  to  give   me  Time  ta  make  my  OhjeBions ;  if 
thou  hadjl  pitched  upon  any  particular  Scripture^ 
and  given  me  Liberty  to  have  anfwered^   it  would 
hanje  been  civil  and  reafonable.     He  owned,    he 
dad   not    done  fairly  by  me  ;  but    I   defired    to 
know,  what  Church  he  pretended  to  belong  to  I 
He  anfwered,  To  the  Epifcopal  Church.     I  then 
requefted   he    would    anfwer  me  one  Queftion 
before  we  entered  into  any  farther  Debate,  and 

he 


(  226  ) 

he  promifed  he  would  if  he   underfliood  it.     t 
told  him,  I   heard  he   was    a  Scholar,  and  no 
doubt  but  he  underflood  how   to   anfwer  it,  if 
he  did  but  confider  the  Matter ;   the  Query  was 
this,  Whether  the  fprinkling  a  little  Water  in  d 
Child's  Face^  ivguIcI  bear  the  Name  Baptifm,  yed 
or   nay?  He   laid,  it  would    not.     I    anfwered, 
Thou  haji  made  a  great  Pother   and  Noife  about 
little  or  7iGthing  ;  for  by  thy  oivn   ConfeJJton  thy 
Church  has  no  Baptifm  at  all,  for  I  knoiv  not  of 
any   other    Way   they   ufe  hut  Sprinkling.       He 
would    not   enter  into    any   farther   Difcourfe 
about  it,  but  made  ufe  of  the  Words  of  Gamaliel^ 
in  favour  of  the  Work  the  i^fliles  were  con- 
cerned in,     faying,     If  this^^ork  he  of  God  it 
could  not  he  overthroivn^  but  if  it  was  of  Man  it 
ivould  come  to  nought.     I  told  him,  I  was  of  his 
Mind;  and  the  Lord  hath  Jupported  me  in  this 
and  the  like  Work^  novo    betiveen  forty    and  fiftj 
Years^    and   if   I  continued  faithful,     I  had   no 
Doubt  at  all  in  my  Mind,  hut    he   ivould  Jupport 
and  fand  by  me  to   the  End,      And   when   we 
parted  he  faid,  The  Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth 
blefs  you,  for  I  believe  you  are  an  honeft  Man. 
By  this  we  may  fee,  that  Truth  fometimes 
comes  over  Men,  and  the  Witnefs  which  God 
hath  placed  in  Pvlen  is  reached,  and  Truth  pre- 
vails many  Times  beyond  our   Expedlation,  or 
what  is  by  us  forefeen  ;  therefore  it  is   good    to 
keep  to  the  Guidance  or  Leading  of  the  Spirit 
of  Truth,  for  it  is  a  blefled  Remembrancer,  In- 
ftru6lor  and  true  Comforter  to  all  fuch  as  truly 
depend  upon  him,  who  fent  the  Spirit  of  Truth 

into 


{  227  ) 

Into  the  Hearts  of  the  Children  of  Men,  to 
guide  them  into  all  the  neceffary  Truths  which 
we  are  to  know  and  pradtife,  and  confequently 
but  of  all  Untruth. 

When  we  had  gone  through  this  Ifland,  and 
vifited  Friends  there,  and  in  Rhode-I^and^  and 
had  fome  Meetings  in  our  Way,  we  went  to 
Nantucket^  where  v/e  met  with  many  innocent 
plain  Friends;  alio  on  Rhode- Jjland^  and  in 
many  Places  in  thefe  Parts  of  the  Country,  we 
found  great  Opennefs  ;  in  Bof.on  beyond  Ex- 
pectation, and  there  was  fome  Convincement  in 
that  Town.  We  travelled  up  to  Dover^  and 
vifited  Friends  t^reabout  (which  are  the  mofl 
remote  Parts  ^pere  Friends  inhabit  in  that 
Quarter  of  New-England)  where  I  met  with  a 
Presbyterian  Prieft;  What  his  Defign  chiefly 
was  in  coming  to  the  Friend's  Houfe  I  know 
not,  but  thought  it  tv-as  to  fee,  or  rather  fpeak 
with  me,  for  he  foon  began  to  a£k  me  ibme 
Queftions ;  firft,  Whether  1  was  not  brought  up 
a  Scholar^  and  had  been  in  fome  of  the  Colleges 
ijuhere  I  had  my  Education  ?  And  alfo,  Whether 
I  had  not  fitt  on  the  canonical  Gown^  and  preached 
according  to  the  Manner  of  the  Church  of  En- 
land  ?  I  replied,  I  had  not  received  my  Educa- 
tion in  any  College,  neither  ever  put  on  the 
canonical  Gown,  nor  preached  after  the  Manner 
of  the  Church  of  England,  He  told  me,  /  had 
been  fo  reprejented  to  hi?n  ;>  and  laid,  he  Juppofed 
I  had  been  at  foine  Schools  :\  xolA,  him,  I  had 
Deen  at  feveral  to  learn  when  I  was  young; 
and  faid,    1  did   not  know   that  1  had  given 

G  g  Occafion 


(  228  ) 

Occafion    at  any  Time^  by  what   I  had  faid, 

whereby    any  Man  might  judge  me  to  be   a 

Scholar.      He    underftood    I    came    from   Old 

England^  and   began  to  aflc  ieveral   Queftions, 

as  Whether  our  Friends    mcreafed   or    decreafcd  ? 

I     anfwered     I    could     not   pofitively    tell ;    I 

thought  there  was  no  great  Alteration   in  my 

Time  as  to  Number,  for  their  Decreafe  in   one 

Part    of  the  Nation,  I  thought  might  be  made 

up    in  their  Increafe  in  another  Part.     He  alfo 

alked  me,  Hoiv  the  epifcopal  Minijfers  dealt  with 

MS  about  their  Tithes  ?  My  Anfwer  was  thus ;  As 

to   that    Part    called  the  Predial  Tithes^    they 

commonly    either    gather  them  themfelves    or 

Family,  or  fet  them  to  TenjBps  who  take  care 

to  fetch  them  away  before  us.  Knowing  that  we 

cannot  be  free  to  leave  them  on  the  Ground,  as 

Hay  and  Corn,  ^'C.  3.nd  as  to /7nal/  Tithes ^  there 

is  an  *Acft  of  Parliament,  called  An  A^  for   the 

more 

*  The  7di  &  8th  of  William  the  third,  Chap.  6. 
IS  the  ACt  for  Recovery  of  fmall  Tithes  or  Offer- 
ings, &c.  not  amounting  to  above  the  Yearly  Value 
of  forty  Shillings,  which  is  common  for  all  People, 
the  Coll:  not  exceeding  ten  Shillings,  before  two  or 
more  Juflices  of  the  Peace,  not  to  go  back  above  two 
Years. 

The  7th  &  8th  of  William  the  third,  Chap.  34, 
which  is  our  Affirmation  Act,  is  the  Act  for  the 
Recovery  of  Tithes  and  Church-rates  for  any  Sum 
not  exceeding  ten  Pounds  from  fakers  only,  before 
two  Juftices  of  the  Peace,  without  any  Limitation 
of  Time.  And  by  the  flatute  of  the  firft  of  George 
the  firft,  Chap.  6.  Sect.  2.  hmited  to  ten  Shillings 
Coft.     See  the  Statutes  at  large. 


(  229  ) 

more  eafy  Recovery  of  fmall  Tithes^  for  any  Sum 
not  exceeding  forty  Shillings^  mid  ten  Shillings 
Cofl\  which  is  by  Juftice's  Warrants.  This  is 
inoftly  thought  to  be  intended  to  prevent  their 
Procedure  by  Exchequer  Procefs,  through  which 
great  Havock  and  Spoil  has  been  made  of 
Friends  Goods,  and  fometimes  their  Bodies  call 
into  Prifon,  where  fome  have  lain  a  long  Time. 
He  afked,  Houo  our  Friends  did  in  Scotland,  if 
they  increafed  there  ?  I  told  him,  I  heard  that 
they  did  not  increafe,  but  fome  of  the  Presby^ 
terians  in  Scotland  were  kind  to  our  Friends, 
and  would  come  to  our  Meetings,  efpecially  if 
Strangers  w^re  at  them :  And  I  alfo  told  him, 
that  Perfecvition  in  our  Part  of  the  World  was 
become  hateful  amongft  moft  fober  People.  He 
faid.  It  %vas  very  iv^ll-^  and  likewife  mentioned, 
that  vue  were  refined^  and  not  the  People  ive  had 
been,  I  afked  him,  wherein  he  thought  we  were 
refined  ?  He  anfwered,  in  our  Principles,  I  de- 
fired  him  to  name  one ;  and  he  faid,  George 
Fox  denied  the  Refurreftion  of  the  Dead.  I  told 
him,  George  Fox  did  own  a  Refurredlion  ac- 
cording to  Scripture,  as  we  do  ;  but  becaufe  he 
and  our  Friends  thought  it  not  fafe  to  recede 
from  plain  Scripture,  nor  to  comply  with  the 
Way  many  People  have  of  expreffmg  it,  which 
we  think  to  be  too  grofs  and  carnal,  viz. 
that  the  fame  Body  fhall  rife^  therefore  they 
have  afferted  we  deny  the  Refurrecftion :  The 
Apoftle  'faith,  that  tvhich  thou  foivejl^  thou 
fowejl  not  that  Body  that  Jhall  he^  for  it  is 
foivn  in  Corruption^  raifed  in  Incorruptiony  fovoh 

a  natural 


(  230         ) 

a  natural^  raifed  a  fpiritual  Body ;  with  much 
more  that  might  be  added:  And  how  much 
fuch  a  Change  makcth  a  DhTerence  between 
the  prefeut  and  the  future  in  the  Refurrecfhion, 
between  natural  and  fpiritual,  Corruption  and 
Incorruption,  I  know  not  of  any  finite  Creature 
|that  is  able  truly  to  determine ;  and  therefore  I 
think  it  is  not  confiftent  with  Charity,  nor  true 
Wifdom,  to  differ  about  fuch  Things  which 
exceed  our  Comprehenfion.  He  allowed  it  to 
be  belter  to  let  them  alone. 

We  parted  very  friendly,  and  Friends  were 
glad  of  the  Opportunity,  he  having  the  Cha- 
racter of  being  a  great  Scholar  and  a  wife  Man  ; 
but  from  all  that  paffed,  they  believed  he  gained 
no  Advantage :  However  he  b^.aved  v^ell ;  and 
before'  we  parted,  I  told  him,  I  thought  the 
greatefh  Reafon  why  fome  think  us  refined  was 
this,  That  formerly  People  were  fo  prejudiced, 
that  whatever  was  priiUed  or  faid  againfl  us, 
our  Principles,  Pradlice  and  Do6lrines,  was  ge- 
nerally received  and  believed,  though  never  fq 
;nucli  difguifed  or  covered  with  fuch  Dreffes  as 
might  render  us  moft  odious,  and  were  by  many 
taken  for  the  Standard  of  our  Belief  and  Prac- 
tice ;  but  of  late  the  Light  hath  more  appeared, 
and  many  are  grown  better  difpofed  towards  lis, 
and  like  wife  Men,  not  willing  to  be  impofed 
upon  any  longer,  have  fearched  for  themfelves 
into  the  State  of  the  Controverfy  between  us  and 
our  Oppofers ;  and  our  Writings  upon  perufal, 
appearing  fo  clear  n.nd  different  from  what  the 
Books  of  thcfe  who  oppofed  us  charged  npofii 

us, 


I 


(       -^31       ) 

rts,  caufed  many  who  read  them  with  a  good 
Defign,  and  were  willing  to  be  fee  right,  to  fay 
nx^e  'were  reformed^  and  not  the  People  that  ive 
had  been.  The  Pried  faid,  he  thought  there 
might  he  niuch  Giving  to  that :  I  told  him  it  was 
undeniable,  that  there  mnil  be  a  great  Dif- 
ference between  our  Principles,  Docftrines  and 
Converfatidns,  truly  dated  andfer  forth  in  their 
proper  Light,  and  when  they  were  mifreprc- 
fented,  lomctimes  with  all  the  Art  and  im- 
placable Malice  that  Men  were  capable  of: 
And  this  has  been  the  Way  our  Adverfaries 
have  treated  us,  almoft  in  every  thing  we  have 
believed,  faid  or  writ,  although  it  was  very 
agreeable  to  the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Teftament. 

We  returned  back  by  Salem ^  Lynn  ^ndBoJlon^ 
and  vifited  Friends  in  our  Way,  and  at  Rhode- 
Ijland^  Long'IJland  and  New-Y^ork ;  and  we  had 
many  good  Meetings  and  fome  large  in  the 
Jerfeys^  where  I  had  fome  Difcourle  with  a 
Juftice  of  the  Peace  about  JVater-Baptifm^  but 
he  did  not  hold  it  long  before  he  gave  up ;'  and 
1  had  another  at  Aliens  Town  with  a  Presby- 
terian^ which  Ireld  for  fome  Hours,  about 
Water-Baptifm^  and  concerning  Election  and 
Reprobation^  and  he  alfo  foon  gave  up  as  to  the 
firil;  but  when  he  began  about  £/^^z^/z  and 
Reprobation^  I  faid,  I  thought  it  w^as  the  moft 
pernicious  Doclrine  that  ever  w^as  broached  in 
the  World,  it  did  fo  oppofe  the  very  Nature 
of  God,  and  his  Delign  of  creating  of  Man, 
Vhich,  with  all  his  other  Works,  he  pro- 
nounced 


(         232  ) 

nounccd  good  and  blefled ;  and  that  Man,  as 
the  Crown  and  Glory  of  all  his  Works  which 
he  had  created,  ihould  be  deiigned  for  the  mod 
miferable  End,  was  unaccountable;  I  urged 
many  Scriptures  againft  that  DocSlrine,  as  alfo 
the  Confufion  they  were  in  about  it,  as  that  of 
their  Wejlminfier  Confeflion  of  Faith,  wherein 
they  fay,  Ihat  the  Decree  is  fo  certain  and  de- 
finite^ that  one  cannot  he  added  to  the  Number 
of  the  Eleci^  or  diminipjed  from  the  Number  of 
the  Reprobate;  and  yet  you  tell  vis,  that  God 
hath  ordained  the  Means  to  effeSl  his  Erids :  I 
then  faid,  this  Suppofition  of  a  Decree  for  the 
Means,  as  well  as  the  End,  feems  intended  to 
make  the  Priefts  and  their  Service  neceffary; 
but  yet  if  they  cannot  alter  the  Decree,  what 
Benefit  or  Advantage  can  there  be  to  Men  by 
their  Services  or  Performance  ?  I  hope  none 
■will  think  that  a  Service  to  Mankind,  to 
flrengthen  or  confirm  that  Decree  if  it  were  in 
their  Power  to  do  it,  which  I  am  fatisfied  it  is 
not ;  becaufe  no  fuch  Decree  was  made  or  is 
in  being ;  the  oppoiite  appearing  by  plain  Scrip-^ 
ture  (which  he  owned  when  I  urged  it)  to  wity 
that  the  Fall  of  Adam  did  afPedl  all ;  and  upon 
the  Parity  of  Reafon,  the  Coming  of  Chri/l  did 
reach  as  far;  becaufe,  as  in  Adam  all  die ^  fo  in 
Chrifl  fljall  all  be  made  alive;  he  tailed  Death 
for  every  Man^  was  a  Propitiation  for  the  Sins 
of  all;  and  where  then  wilt  thou  find  a  People 
that  is  not  included  ?  But  if  thou  canft  find  in, 
and  prove  by  plain  Scripture,  that  there  is  fuch 
a  People  not  included  in  thefe  general  AiTertions, 

that 


(       233       ') 

that  Chrift  came  to  fave^  fliew  me  who  they  are. 
Thefe  and  much  morel  urged  againft  that  Doc- 
trine, and  he  with  many  others  appeared  much 
fatisfied,  and  we  parted  friendly.  He  came 
next  Day  feveral  Miles  to  a  Meeting  which  I 
had  appointed  ;  the  ^/j  an  was  counted  a  wife  and 
fober  Man,  and  was  under  fome  Convincement, 
and  behaved  well. 

From  thence  we  went  to  Pennfylvania^  and 
had  many  good  Meetings  in  that  Part,  and  be- 
ing clear  and  willing  to  return,  I  took  leave  of 
Friends  in  a  loving  and  tender  Frame  of  Spirit, 
and  embarked  on  board  a  Ship,  whereof  Samuel 
Flouuer  was  Mafter,  the  ifl  of  the  Third 
Month  1733  at  Philadelphia^  and  arrived  at 
Brijlol  the  i8th  of  the  Fourth  Month  follow- 
ing, and  was  glad  we  got  fafe  to  England^ 
having  been  feven  Weeks  in  our  PafTage ;  I  got 
Home  on  the  6th  of  the  Sixth  Month,  and  was 
truly  thankful  to  the  Lord,  who  had  preferved 
me  in  thefe  long  Travels  and  Labours  of  Love, 
through,  many  Difficulties ;  but  the  Lord's 
Power  is  fufficient  to  bear  up  and  carry  through 
all.  Renowned  be  his  worthy  Name  over  all, 
now  and  for  ever,  Amen. 

Aremarkable  Deliverance  which  happened 
to  me,  being  omitted  in  its  proper  Place,  1  think 
fit  to  infert  here,  which  was  as  follows : 

In  the  Year  17 18  and  the  Twelfth  Month, 
when  John  Dodgjon  was  vifiting  Friends  in  our 
Parts,    he  lodged  with   me,  and  I  went   with 

hiin 


(       ^34       ) 

iilm  and  his  Brother  in  Law  Peter  Buck^  to  be 
their   Guide   to   Whitby^  and    ftaid  their  Firfl- 
day's   Meeting,    and   Secoad-day's  Preparative 
Meeting;   and    on    the  Third-day    I   went    on 
with  Friends    towards   Scarborough^  to  have  the 
better  Road  Home,  there  having  fallen  a  great 
deal  of  Snow  while  we  were  at  Whitby^  {o  that 
it    was  looked  upon  impracticable  for  me   to, 
return   the  fame   Way  home    that  I    came,    it 
being  a  moorifh,  bad  Way:  Bat  in  our   Way 
back,  within  a  Mile  or  little  more  from  Scar- 
borough^ we  came  to  a  Brook,  which  by  reafon 
of  the  exceffive  Rain  and  Snow  was  higher  than 
ever  I  had  feen  it,  fo  that  v>^hen  we  came  to  ride 
thro'  it,  Henry  Lemr.s,  our  Guide,  firft  adven- 
tured in,   being  mounted  upon   a  very  ftrong 
large  Horfe,  and  got  over  with  fome  Difficulty, 
and   I  followed  him;  but  ^^hen  I  came  about 
the  middle  of  the  fording  Place,  it  took  my 
Mare  off  her  Feet,  and  fomething  being  in  the 
way,  it  turned  her  upon  her  Broadfide,  fo  that 
I   was    difmounted    and  carried  away  by  the 
Rapidity    of    the    Stream ;    but  there   being  a 
Foot-bridge    a    little    below,   about  Knee  deep 
under  Water,   and  no  Rail  either  to  be  a  Guide, 
or  to  lay   a  Hand   on,    and    the  Water  being- 
reduced  to  a  narrow  Compafs,  hurried  me  vio- 
lently  along,    and  drove    me  v/ith    my  Breail 
againft  the  liridge  with  fjch  Force,  that  it  very 
near  knocked  the  Breath  out  of  me  ;  but  before 
I  touched  the  Bridge  I  happened  to  hold  up  my 
Hand,   and  John  Dodgjon  feeing  the  Danger  I 
was  in,  jum|>ed  oli  his  Horfe,  aiid  ran    at   a 

vcntm'e 


(      ^35      ) 

feature  (feeing  the  Water  ripple)  to  hit  tlie 
Bridge,  and  juft  caught  hold  of  my  Fingers/ 
and  held  my  Head  above  Water,  until  Henry 
Levins^  who  was  got  over,  came  to  his  Affift- 
ance. 

.  But  by  the  Strength  of  the  W^ter  iri  my 
Boot-tops,  they  beiilg  large,  and  by  a  Nail 
{in  the  Timber  under  the  Bridge)  catching  hold 
of  my  great  Coat,  which  held  me  faft,  it 
was  impoffible  for  one  Man  to  free  me,  and 
hot  without  fome  Difficulty  for  them  both  to 
get  nie  out,  the  Nail  holding  fo  faft  that  it  tore 
out  a  great  Piece  of  my  Coat,  Lining  and  all; 
but  upon  Henry  ^  difmounting,  his  Horfe  ran 
away  to  Scarborough^  (and  mine  fwam  back  to 
the  Company)  and  when  they  had  got  me  out, 
Henry  ran  on  foot  to  get  his  Horfe,  and  found 
him  at  the  Stable  Door  where  he  ufed  to  ftand, 
and  iri  the  mean  Time  John  Dodgfon  kept  me 
in  Motion  by  dragging  me  along,  having  very 
little  or  fometimes  no  Hopes  of  my  Recovery, 
When  the  Horfe  returned,  they  got  me  back  to 
Scarborough^  but  I  was  not  fenfible  how,  and 
they  had  me  to  Dorothy  Jaques's  Houfe,  and 
when  there,  they  could  perceive  my  Lips  move, 
but  could  not  hear  what  I  faid,  until  one  laid 
an  Ear  clofe  to  my  Mouth,  and  k  under ftood 
that  I  faid,  If  they  gave  me  any  Thing  that  ivas 
ftrong^  it  ijuould  carry,  me  off;  which  made 
them  very  cautious :  However,  they  ftrip;:  me 
and  changed  my  Shirt,  and  put  me  into  a 
warmed  Bed,  and  applied  warm  Flannel  to  my 

Feet 
H  h 


(       236       ) 

Feet  for  three  Hours  together,  which  I  knew 
nothing  of,  being  then  altogether  fenfelefs. 

Jfaac  Skelton^  who  had  been  a  Companion 
of  mine,  in  the  Service  of  the  Truth,  through 
feveral  Counties,  hearing  of  this  Accident,  came 
immediately  and  got  into  Bed  to  me,  and  kept 
me  ciofc  in  his  Bofom,  which  many  thought 
was  a  great  Means  to  preferve  my  Life.  John 
Dodgfon^  though  he  intended  for  the  Monthly- 
meeting,  cxprefTed  fo  great  a  Concern  for  me, 
that  he  faid,  He  ivotild  either  fee  7ne  in  a  TVay  of 
Recovery^  or  die^  before  he  left  me\  yet  it  pleafed 
the  Lord,  -  of  his  infinite  Mercy  fo  wonderfully 
to  raife  me  up  again,  as  to  enable  me  to  be  at 
the  Meeting  next  Day,  and  alfo  to  bear  fome 
Teftimony,  wdiich  was  very  acceptable  and 
comfortable  to  Friends,  as  it  w^as  alio  to  fee  me 
there  beyond  their  Expectation ;  but  yet  I  was 
much  troubled  with  Pain,  the  fleiliy  Part  of 
my  Shoulder  being  rent  by  the  violent  hauling 
me  out  of  the  Water. 

In  Gratitude,  my  Soul  can  do  no  lefs  than 
praife  and  magnify  the  Lord  for  this  great 
Deliverance,  and  all  his  other  Mercies,  who 
alone  is  worthy.  And  I  cannot  but  take  Notice 
of  Friends  Kindnefs  and  Goodwill  to  me,  in 
doing  whatfoever  they  could  for  me,  but  more 
efpecially  my  worthy  Friend  John  Dodgfon^  who 
hazarded  his  Life  to  fave  mine. 


I      N-      I      S. 


I 


